MGM Fire

October 16, 2012 · 11:28 a.m.

MGM Grand, Hilton fires led to improved safety codes in Clark County

November 21, 2012

By Dave Toplikar

After 85 people died as a result of the MGM Grand fire in November 1980 and eight perished in an arson less than three months later at the Las Vegas Hilton, Nevada lawmakers revamped high-rise safety codes.
‘They were absolutely heroes’: The horrific MGM Grand fire and the men who fought it

November 21, 2012

By Dave Toplikar

Two distant, black columns of smoke caught John Pappageorge’s eye as he drove to work on a crisp, 38-degree morning in November 1980. Pappageorge, then a deputy chief with the Clark County Fire Department, wondered if the smoke might be a pile of tires on fire. Or was it a building?
Witnesses and survivors recount the chaos amid MGM Grand fire

November 21, 2012

By Dave Toplikar

Some 5,000 people were in the MGM Grand when it caught fire Nov. 21, 1980. Eighty-five people died and about 700 were injured. Here are the recollections of some of those who either survived the fire or were there.
Former fire marshall who ushered in safety laws after MGM Grand Hotel fire dies

April 3, 2012

By Cy Ryan

CARSON CITY - Thomas J. Huddleston, Nevada's state fire marshal who pushed through tough safety laws after the 1980 MGM Grand Hotel blaze in Las Vegas that claimed 87 lives, has died in Poulsbo, Wash. after a lengthy illness.
Heroes from MGM’s fire aren’t forgotten

January 29, 2008

Annie Hoskin, Las Vegas

For many of us who lived in Las Vegas in 1980, the sight of the Monte Carlo fire on Friday brought back memories of the MGM fire on Nov. 21, 1980.
Deadly casino fires helped rewrite safety standards

January 25, 2008

Las Vegas residents and visitors have witnessed plenty of fires damage and destroy various hotels over the years.
MGM Grand fire altered safety standards

November 18, 2000

Ed Koch and Mary Manning

Marv and Carol Schatzman always were health-conscious.
MGM Fire May Mean Billion-Dollar Loss

November 23, 1980

Phil Hevener

The blaze that destroyed the MGM Grand Hotel’s casino could result in a billion-dollar loss that would spell financial ruin for the parent corporation, local casino officials speculated Saturday.
MGM Nixed Improved Sprinkler System in ‘73

November 23, 1980

Chris Woodyard

The officials advised owners of the MGM Grand Hotel to install a comprehensive sprinkler system during construction, but they ignored the suggestion, claiming it was too expensive, the SUN learned Saturday.
MGM BURNS

November 22, 1980

Sun Staff

At least ten MGM Grand Hotel guests were reported killed in a raging fire that engulfed the 2,000 room hotel shortly after 7 a.m. Friday. More than 100 injuries were initially reported but exact figures weren’t available at press time. Officials said others may be dead inside the hotel.

Photo Gallery

Fire at MGM Grand
- Nov. 21, 1980

FATALITIES: 85, including nine from Las Vegas.

INJURIES: 679 injured, some badly burned, most suffered smoke inhalation or cuts from broken glass.

STRUCTURE: 26 stories. Fire unit ladders reached only to ninth floor.

EVACUATION: 2,000-plus hotel workers and guests taken from roof by 15 helicopters from Nellis AFB and Metro Police. Many people broke out windows and went out on balconies to escape smoke. One jumped or fell to her death.

ALARM: Hotel's fire alarm could be only activated manually. No alarms were located near the casino, where the fire started.

CAUSE: Faulty wiring inside a wall in the kitchen of a delicatessen.

HILTON FIRE: Arson blaze Feb. 10, 1981, kills eight people, driving home point changes were needed.

Video

MGM Grand 1980 Firefighters

Fire leads to safety changes

GOVERNOR: Gov. Robert List forms blue-ribbon panel for safety changes.

CLARK COUNTY: County manager report names 11 other hotels lacking sprinklers, including the Flamingo Hilton, Desert Inn and Riviera.

LEGISLATURE: Bill passed five months later requiring sprinkler systems in all homes, motels, office buildings and apartments higher than 55 feet and requiring sprinklers in showrooms and other public gathers place of more than 15,000 square feet.

TODAY: Every room of every hotel has one or more smoke detectors. Air supply vents to each room are blocked separately. Every major public building now has a fire control room with computers to find fire origin and vent smoke out of the building.

EFFECTS: There have been no fire deaths in a high-rise building in Las Vegas since the MGM fire.