LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The deadliest residential fire in the City of Las Vegas' history remains under investigation but new documents obtained by 13 Investigates shows the property has been on the radar for more than 30 years.
The documents show a pattern of repeat complaints from residents, Las Vegas police, even high-ranking authorities within the City of Las Vegas.
READ FIRE VIOLATION COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS 2009-2017
The reports show a variety of issues including non-working smoke detectors, missing fire safety equipment, and repeated issues with the building's fire alarm.
The documents also reveal the most recent complaint and inspection for fire safety violations occurred on April 26, 2017 -- almost three years ago.
A City of Las Vegas spokesperson tells 13 Investigates fire inspections are complaint-driven -- meaning existing properties are inspected for violations if a resident or tenant complains to the authorities.
Annual annual renewable permits for hazardous operations such as repair facilities or gas stations, new construction or business license applications are the exceptions to this fire inspection process through the City of Las Vegas.
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The oldest record provided by the City of Las Vegas to 13 Investigates reveals a notice of fire citations for the property located at 213 N. 9th Street on March 15, 1985.
At the time, the document showed the property had 8 outstanding citations.
The most recent fire inspection occurred in the days after the deadly fire which killed six people and left dozens more injured and without a place to live just days after Christmas.
The documents obtained by 13 Investigates show at least 16 violations including an exit door which had been bolted shut from the outside.
READ: PROPERTY FIRE INSPECTION HISTORY 2006-2019
The co-owner of the property told 13 Action News just hours after the fire that the property was up to code.
