Las Vegas Sun

February 12, 2012

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Fire at downtown area business last week ruled accidental

By Sun Staff (contact)

Friday, July 23, 2010 | 6:58 a.m.

Business fire

Fire officials say a blaze that started outside in the back of Alex Rivas Upholstery at 1218 S. Main St. spread quickly throughout the store Wednesday afternoon. Launch slideshow »

Business fire

Fire officials ruled today that a blaze last week that gutted a business south of downtown Las Vegas was accidental in nature, but the fire's cause couldn't be determined.

Las Vegas Fire and Rescue responded at 2:35 p.m. July 14 to the fire at Alex Rivas Upholstery, 1218 S. Main St. That location is south of Charleston Boulevard's intersection with Main Street.

Fire department spokesman Tim Szymanski said two other businesses sustained minor smoke damage. Damage from the fire was estimated at $200,000.

Business owners across the street noticed a fire behind Alex Rivas Upholstery and notified the store's owners. The blaze started outside against the back of the store in a large pile of material that included furniture and other combustible items.

Investigators said the cause of the fire couldn't be determined. Careless smoking couldn't be ruled out, he said. The area behind the store was secured by a wrought iron fence, and access to the rear yard was limited because gates on the fence were locked, helping firefighters to rule out arson.

The blaze occurred a few blocks south of the Opportunity Village Thrift Store, which caught fire July 11 at 921 S. Main St. Earlier that Sunday morning, a transformer explosion rocked the same area, blowing out the windows of the thrift store and nearby businesses.

Szymanski said this morning there is no connection between the fire at Alex Rivas Upholstery and the fire and explosion in the area of the Opportunity Village Thrift Store.

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