Las Vegas Sun

November 30, 2009

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Editorial: Fire aftermath shows benefit of cooperation

Monday, June 9, 2003 | 9:06 a.m.

After the three-alarm blaze May 29 at the Moulin Rouge was put out, the Las Vegas Fire Department asked for investigative help from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The request was a good call for two reasons. The Moulin Rouge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, having opened in 1955 as Nevada's first integrated resort. This would have been reason enough for calling for federal help. Additionally, however, the ATF has teams that are trained specifically for such cases and they have resources not immediately available to local investigators.

Within five days the ATF and local investigators, working together, had concluded that arson was responsible for the fire. Working alone, the Las Vegas Fire Department might have taken months to reach that conclusion, according to Las Vegas Fire Marshal Ken Riddle. Their speedy work is an example of what cooperation -- as opposed to jurisdictional squabbling -- can accomplish. We hope such cooperation between federal and local agencies catches on.

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