Cell tower fire closes U.S. 95 exit ramp at Jones Boulevard

Courtesy Las Vegas Fire & Rescue

A Verizon Communications Inc. cellphone tower caught fire Monday as welders were working on the structure. The blaze forced authorities to shutdown the U.S. 95 exit ramp to Jones Boulevard.

By William D'Urso

Published Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 | 2:10 p.m.

Updated Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 | 4:20 p.m.

A fire on a Verizon Communications Inc. cell phone tower has forced authorities to shut down the U.S. 95 exit and on-ramps to Jones Boulevard.

The fire started about 11: 30 a.m. when welders were working to reinforce the structure with additional metal plates, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

Szymanski said the ramps were closed because the tower is leaning toward NV Energy power lines.

He said workers were using a crane to take the tower down in sections that was to take about an hour. He said power in the area was shut down while the work is under way.

The ramp remains closed, and it is unclear when traffic will be allowed through, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Loy Hixson said.

Workers from NV Energy and Verizon are on scene, but authorities did not know if power to homes or cellphone coverage had been affected.

Welders were working on tower when the fire started, Szymanski said.