Cause of apartment fire still unknown

Monday, May 12, 2003 | 9:25 a.m.

Clark County Fire Department investigators were still searching Sunday for the cause of an apartment fire that killed a man on Saturday night.

The fire apparently started in a kitchen at the Paradise Bay Club apartments near Paradise and Flamingo roads, county fire department spokesman Bob Leinbach said.

Neighbors called firefighters after they smelled smoke about 8:40 p.m.

When firefighters neared the apartment in Building 15, the windows were blackened.

"They couldn't see anything," Leinbach said.

The man, whose identity was withheld this morning until family members could be notified, was found between the kitchen and bathroom. Fire investigators weren't sure how the fire started, but it was confined to the kitchen, Leinbach said. The blaze caused $20,000 in damage.

Fire investigators hoped an autopsy would help shed light on the cause, he said.

The man's wife was not home at the time of the fire, Leinbach said.

"I don't know why he didn't get out," he said. "It's not unusual for people in a fire to get disoriented, though."

In another fire, firefighting crews arrived at the Island Club apartments, 3700 E. Bonanza Road near Pecos, about 5:20 p.m. Saturday as flames came out of a first-floor window.

Firefighters contained the flames to one apartment, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said. The fire gutted the living room, the kitchen and the dining area and caused smoke damage to three other units. Damage was estimated at $15,000.

A mother and her 15-year-old son, who were not injured, said they had just left the apartment, Szymanski said. Investigators believe the fire started on a stove. The woman said she had complained to apartment management because she was having trouble with electricity in the apartment, including the stove.

The American Red Cross is assisting both residents of the apartment and two adults who live in a unit directly above them.