Fire damages work at LV Springs Preserve

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003 | 9:46 a.m.

A fire at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve caused $25,000 in damage Monday.

The fire started in an elevator shaft, part of a pump station under construction at the preserve.

A helicopter pilot reporting on rush-hour traffic for KVBC Channel 3 spotted the flames shooting through the top of the shaft and called firefighters.

The preserve, south of U.S. 95 between Valley View Boulevard and Rancho Drive, shelters plants, animals, birds, bats and butterflies, as well as early remnants of Las Vegas' pioneer days, such as a spring house and a chicken coop.

The pump station is designed to educate visitors to how the springs supply water to valley residents once construction is complete by 2005, said Jesse Davis, spokesman for the Las Vegas Spring Preserve Project, said.

"Fortunately, none of the environmentally sensitive areas were affected," Davis said. "We don't anticipate this putting any delays on construction. It was a pretty minor incident."

Voters in November approved a $200 million proposal for new parks, recreational facilities, trails and habitat for wildlife, and the distribution of the money calls for $25 million for planning and developing the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. The bond issue also includes building a $35 million museum at the preserve.