Fire blamed on child playing with matches

By Tim Richardson

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008 | 11 p.m.

Investigators determined Sunday evening that a Henderson apartment fire that displaced 10 residents earlier in the day was started by a child playing with matches. No one was injured.

The Henderson Fire Department responded at about 1:20 p.m. to the report of a fire at the Hampton Court Apartments, 1030 Center St. That location is near the intersection of Warm Springs Road and Lake Mead Drive.

Firefighters said thick, black smoke was visible from a window on the second floor of Building 9. The building is a two-story structure that includes two units, authorities said.

The blaze was extinguished in about 10 minutes, firefighters said. Investigators estimated the fire did about $70,000 in damage.

A child was hospitalized for a medical problem that wasn't related to the fire. No residents or firefighters were injured as a result of the blaze.

Officials said three adults and seven children were displaced. The American Red Cross and the Nevada Burn Foundation are helping the families find places to live.