LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas fire investigators are looking into what caused a fast-moving fire that injured three people and heavily damaged two homes near Buffalo and Alta drives on Saturday.
The blaze started around 12:20 a.m. at 824 Eugene Cernan Street. When firefighters arrived, flames were seen coming from the garage of a one-story home.
Additional engines were called to the scene, according to Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, as the intensity of the fire was getting worse and it started to threaten a two-story house next door.
Two people were injured during the fire. Both were taken to the hospital, one for burns and the other for smoke inhalation.
The house next door did end up catching fire and with the additional fire equipment, the call turned into a two-alarm fire.
HAPPENING NOW: We’re getting a better look at the damage left behind from a massive overnight fire that destroyed two homes and injured 3 people including a firefighter on Eugene Cernan St.
We have the latest live @KTNV 13 Action News. pic.twitter.com/a92dPV8V8d— @SeanKTNV (@seanktnv) July 11, 2020
Las Vegas firefighters say because of the calm and hot weather conditions, dense smoke blanketed the entire area. This made for poor visibility and difficult breathing conditions.
It took nearly 90 minutes to knock down the bulk of the fire with firefighters remaining at the scene for several hours putting out hot spots.
Both of the houses sustained heavy damage, with damage estimated at $500,000, according to Las Vegas Fire and Rescue.
A Las Vegas firefighter was also injured in the blaze and sent to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation. Five people were displaced in the incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
