Man dies in Fremont Street fire

Jennifer Lawson

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004 | 11:04 a.m.

Las Vegas fire officials are investigating a blaze in a Fremont Street apartment that killed a man this morning.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue spokesman Tim Szymanski said about 4:20 a.m., four Metro Police officers were at the Olive Street Apartments investigating a report of gunshots when they heard screams coming from the Newport Apartments across the street at 2540 Fremont St. near the intersection with Charleston Boulevard.

The officers ran over and saw that a second-floor apartment was on fire, Szymanski said, then they went door to door and evacuated the 30 residents who were home.

In the burned apartment firefighters found a man on the floor of the bedroom. It appeared the fire began in the living room.

Firefighters believe the man died from smoke inhalation, Szymanski said, but that won't be confirmed until an autopsy is performed.

Metro homicide detectives were called to the scene, which is standard procedure when someone dies in a fire.

Working smoke alarms were in the apartment and the adjoining apartments, Szymanski said.

No other apartments were damaged. The blaze was confined to the victim's unit.

The victim's body was carried out of his apartment about 8 a.m., Szymanski said. He was 63, the fire official said.

Paula Rios, who has lived at the Newport Apartments for about four years, was standing in her doorway as officials investigated the fire.

She said she was awakened by the sound of gunshots, then police evacuated her because of the fire.

"I'm still kind of freaked," she said.