Two Las Vegas families lose homes in holiday fires

Eric Leake

Monday, Dec. 27, 2004 | 9:18 a.m.

When they should have otherwise been enjoying the holidays, two families were coping with the aftermath of house fires Christmas Day.

A family of 12 was to have spent Christmas night at temporary housing provided by the American Red Cross after their home in the 1400 block of Balzar Avenue, near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Carey Avenue, caught fire, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue reported.

Most of the family was away while one member stayed home and cooked. He left some food cooking in the kitchen and it caught fire, spreading into the attic at around 6:18 p.m., according to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. The man escaped uninjured.

County records show the home is owned by Timothy Hicks. Damage is estimated at $40,000.

Earlier in the day the Hsie family awoke in the pre-dawn hours to find their home ablaze, according to the Clark County Fire Department.

The home in the 3200 block of Mountain Spring Road, near Desert Inn Road and Decatur Boulevard, is owned by James and Margaret Hsie, according to county records.

The fire department reported no injuries among the family of six, including two sons and two daughters. The mother of the family works with handicapped adults and the father is a security guard.

The family's home was destroyed with damage estimated at $350,000. The fire is believed to have started in the garage. The family is staying at a relative's home for now.

Large losses were avoided in a warehouse fire at 828 S. Commerce St. near Charleston Boulevard in a third Christmas Day fire.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue responded to the fire about 12:30 p.m. Firefighters saw thick smoke inside the one-story metal building but no fire, to which they credit an automatic sprinkler system that kept the flames in check.

The fire is believed to have started in a makeshift homeless shelter against the building and spread through the wall.