Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Fire destroys businesses

A fire in west central Las Vegas destroyed four businesses early today -- including a popular restaurant and a recording studio that housed equipment that had been used by the Beatles.

No injuries were reported in the fire at the Village Center at Charleston and Valley View boulevards. Firefighters were called by passersby at 5:03 a.m., and the blaze was considered under control within an hour. The fire appeared to be concentrated in the attic area of Sonio's Cafe and Rotisserie, a popular lunchspot known for its chicken specialties.

Firefighters found heavy smoke, but no flames, when they first arrived. However, when they got to the attic area they realized how far the fire already had spread.

"The roof was starting to cave in," said Tim Szymanski, spokesman for the Las Vegas Fire Department. "That was an indication that it had been smoldering a long time."

After firefighters starting battling the blaze, 40-foot flames shot above the roof, firefighters said. At least 75 firefighters and 25 fire vehicles were called to the problematic fire, Szymanski said.

The roof includes tar paper and the attic area, and has to carry heavy loads -- air conditioning and collecting rain, for example -- which makes it thicker than one might suppose, he said.

"You have a pretty decent fuel load up there, and it's tough to put out," Szymanski said.

Firefighters said this morning that it was too early to estimate the dollar amount of damage and they would not speculate on the possible cause of the fire. Crews were expected to spend the day spraying water on the remaining rubble, similar to putting out an enormous campfire.

"It's like charcoal briquets -- you have to stir them around and put water on it," Szymanski said. "We'll be here all day dousing hot spots."

The intersection of Charleston and Valley View closed soon after firefighters arrived. At nearby Hyde Park Middle School, 900 Hinson, teachers and parents dropping students were directed to alternate street routes away from the fire scene, but classes remained on schedule, schoolofficials said.

Yiorgo Aretos, owner of Sonio's, praised firefighters for their quick response, without which the entire complex of about a dozen businesses might have been lost. In addition to his restaurant, the fire destroyed Campbell Printing, Goochie Poochie pet supplies, and a vacant business called the Upper Ear, which was being turned into a recording studio by Gregg Giuffria, a developer of the Hard Rock Casino Hotel in Biloxi, Miss.

Giuffria said he has been working on opening the studio for about two months, and had left the Upper Ear at about 10 p.m. Thursday.

"I am just numb right now," he said. His equipment, although insured, included vintage console panels and keyboards used by such artists as the Beatles and Pink Floyd, he said.

"It's devastating, total destruction. I guess I'll rebuild but some of that stuff is just irreplaceable," Giuffria said.

Aretos, who employs about 15 people, also said he was insured but was nervous about how much that would help him.

"Until I talk to my insurance company to see what they're going to do for us, there's not much I can say right now," he said. The restaurant owner was busy Friday morning dealing with his loss -- and receiving support from his loyal patrons.

"Already this morning I have received at least 100 calls of support from my customers, who are asking me what they can do to help," he said.

The customers include employees from neighboring businesses, who milled about Friday morning waiting for police to reopen several streets around the shopping center, including busy West Charleston and Valley View boulevards.

Sonio's "made the best chicken Caesar salad in town, and they are really nice people -- this is such a shame," said Linda Santoro, a worker at nearby Option Care. "They gave all of us at Option Care a 10 percent discount for lunch."

Carrie Parker said the strip mall, and Sonio's, has had problems with vandalism and graffiti. She wondered whether that could have been connected to the fire.

"They (Sonio's) were broke into on Monday," she said. "A window and a door were broken. And they have had graffiti to deal with as well."

Metro Police said this morning, however, that they could find no records of such complaints.

Aretos said he preferred to await the results of the fire investigation before discussing vandalism in connection with the fire.

In the past Aretos had complained about vandalism at his business.

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