Late night fire leaves 23 homeless

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000 | 9:26 a.m.

Las Vegas fire officials are investigating a late night apartment blaze on the city's west side that left 23 homeless.

Las Vegas and Clark County firefighters found heavy flames coming out the patio door of a downstairs apartment and lapping up into the apartment above when they arrived at the Sahara Palms Apartments just before midnight Monday, said spokesman Tim Szymanski.

Two people had to be rescued by firefighters from an upstairs balcony because fire blocked the stairs, Szymanski said. No one was injured.

The fire damaged two apartments and caused minor smoke damage to six other units in the two-story wood frame apartment building that contains eight units. Damage is estimated at $75,000.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Szymanski said. Firefighters believe the blaze began in the downstairs unit.

The American Red Cross is providing temporary housing for the 23 occupants who were displaced.

Most residents will be able to return to their apartments within a day or two, Szymanski said.

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