UPDATE — Las Vegas Fire & Rescue confirmed on Wednesday morning that the fire was extinguished, and units are on the way to conduct a "thorough secondary search" of the entire structure. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
City of Las Vegas officials told Channel 13 that the city's Code Enforcement team did receive a report about squatters in the building on June 8, 2023. The city worked with property management who secured the building on June 12. A re-inspection found the property was still secure on July 6. The case was closed after the third inspection, which was on July 20.
PREVIOUS — Fire departments are on scene at Charleston and 3rd Street addressing a 2-alarm structure fire Tuesday evening.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the Clark County Fire Department are at the 300 block of E. Charleston Boulevard, dispatched around 6:23 p.m. Officials confirmed that the structure is an abandoned commercial building.
Because of the heavy fire conditions, LVFR said additional resources were needed, and the incident commander requested a second alarm.
We are responding to a two-alarm fire at an abandoned commercial building located near the intersection of Charleston Boulevard & 3rd Street in downtown. pic.twitter.com/4E2QYA0CNR
— Las Vegas FireRescue (@LasVegasFD) August 30, 2023
Officials said three people were in the structure, but they escaped. However, one was treated for smoke inhalation and is said to be transported to the hospital in "stable condition."
RTC said Charleston Boulevard is closed eastbound at 3rd Street.
"Avoid the area," officials said. "Use other routes."
KTNV will provide more information as officials release it.
