News briefs for August 18, 2003

Monday, Aug. 18, 2003 | 11:16 a.m.

Girl, 6, drowns in Strip hotel pool

A 6-year-old girl drowned in the swimming pool at the Flamingo hotel Friday night.

Sophie Richards, whose hometown is unknown, was in the pool when her mother stepped away for a few moments, Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison said.

Clark County paramedics arrived at the hotel about 7:10 p.m. Friday and found a lifeguard performing CPR on the child, Allison said.

A lifeguard found the child at the bottom of the pool and pulled her out. She was pronounced dead at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

Man rescued from car during flood

During Saturday night's thunderstorm, a Las Vegas man was rescued from the roof of his Volkswagen Jetta after floodwaters rose past its windows at the intersection of Eastern and Twain avenues, Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison said.

Although Clark County rescue units were called about 9:45 p.m., a motorist in a large truck had pulled the man to safety before rescuers arrived.

The Clark County Regional Flood Control District notified the National Weather Service of the flooded intersection shortly before the man drove into the rising waters, Meteorologist Charlie Schlott said.

County firefighters saw up to 4 feet of water behind the Imperial Palace during the storm, Allison said.

Girl killed in fire identified

A 7-year-old girl who was killed in a house fire caused by a candle being used as a nightlight Saturday was identified today by the Clark County Coroner as Xena Kramer.

The fire occurred at about 3:30 a.m. when the bedroom of the girl's northeast Las Vegas home was engulfed in flames and smoke.

The child, who had been left by her mother with a couple in the residence at 2617 N. Lamb Blvd., said she was afraid of the dark, Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison said.