News briefs for August 5, 2004

Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004 | 10:05 a.m.

Hotel's sprinker system worked

The sprinkler system inside the north hotel tower of Circus Circus was in proper working order when a fire broke out Tuesday in a third-floor guest room, a Clark County fire investigator said.

The fire, caused by an electrical malfunction in an air conditioning unit located just below the room's window, sent smoke through three floors of the hotel and set off alarms, but did not activate the sprinkler system.

Investigators said it is likely the heads of the sprinkers did not activate because the fire broke out under the window and the heat escaped outside, Clark County Fire Department spokesman Bob Leinbach said. The sprinkler system is activated by heat, not smoke, they said.

All other related components of the system were checked, and no evidence of malfunction or tampering was found.

Police study string of burglaries

Metro Police are looking for a person believed to be responsible for a number of business burglaries in northwest and southwest Las Vegas.

Police said the person usually pries or forces the rear door of the businesses to gain entry. Once inside, the person takes office equipment, money and other merchandise.

A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the subject, police said.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Tractor-trailer hits pedestrian

A 65-year-old pedestrian was killed Wednesday night when a tractor-trailer hit him in the parking lot of the Riverside Hotel in Laughlin then drove off without stopping, Metro Police said.

The incident occurred about 8:15 p.m. The pedestrian, who is from Bullhead City, Ariz., was walking across through the parking lot of the Riverside on Casino Drive when the truck hit the man.

The tractor-trailer was described as a white Freightliner pulling a box trailer with the word "Sunset" on the side, police said. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or Detective William Redfairn at (702) 229-3128. This is the 80th fatal traffic collision in Metro's jurisdiction this year.