Early morning blaze destroys warehouse

Monday, Nov. 3, 2003 | 9:31 a.m.

A three-alarm fire that began shortly before midnight Sunday destroyed a vending company warehouse, forced evacuation of a nearby strip club, slowed freight train service from the downtown area and knocked out power to homes and businesses.

Sky Top Vending, 1509 Western Ave., was destroyed by the fire that began outside the building and spread to the interior, destroying soda and candy vending machines, Las Vegas Fire Department Deputy Chief Jeffrey Morgan said.

"It was a tough fire to fight because of limited access to the area and because winds kept breaking our hose stream," Morgan said.

There were no injuries in the blaze that began about 11:50 p.m. and moments later had a second alarm. A third alarm sounded within a half hour, sending about 20 fire vehicles, including four large ladder trucks, into the tightly confined industrial part of town.

About 80 firefighters from the city and Clark County fire departments quickly contained the blaze to the one building, then brought it under control at 5:15 a.m. today, Morgan said.

Dancers from the Little Darlings nightclub at 1514 Western Ave. served coffee to firefighters. The nude dance club, although evacuated, kept its doors open to firefighters to use the bathrooms, Morgan said.

Sprint spokeswoman Detra Page said phone service was out to about 3,000 customers in the area bounded by Interstate 15, Industrial Road, Charleston Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. She said all lines should be back up by late this evening.

The fire also shut down service from the Union Pacific Railroad for 1 1/2 hours. When service resumed, trains in the area traveled about 5 mph, Morgan said.

The fire remains under investigation and is expected to be turned over to investigators at about noon today when the last of the hot spots are snuffed out, Morgan said.

The building and its contents are a total loss. No dollar damage was immediately available, Morgan said.