UPDATE: Daniel Wang is one of 500 members who not only attends but helped build the Asian Cultural Center.
"We can rebuild the building but not all this culture and heritage," Wang said.
A center, he said, that not only instills Chinese cultural values and customs but teaches everything from Filipino to Japanese culture.
The Asian Culture Center was established two years ago. Three months ago it relocated to Valley View and Charleston. And now charred debris, rubble and the lingering odor of smoke are all that remain after a fire that started just before midnight.
As fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the blaze, six business are forced to pick up the pieces.
The Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club was among the businesses destroyed.
"With the Mayors Cup just three weeks away We have 450 plus teams coming from around the world," said Roger Tabor.
But the club won't let the fire stop them from moving full-steam ahead.
"We are resilient," said Tabor. "That's one of the messages we want to teach these kids... We hope to lead by example."
Overcoming and moving forward is something the fire cannot destroy.
"It's hard to recollect all the culture and information, but we will do that. We have to do that for future generations," Wang said.
ORIGINAL STORY
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- Officials estimate $1 million in damages due to a strip mall fire in the Asian Culture Center at 928 Valley View Boulevard.
Dispatchers received numerous 9-1-1 calls at 11:45 p.m. Saturday about the fire. A total of 73 firefighters with 27 pieces of equipment were brought in to take down the blaze. The fire was under control within 45 minutes.
Six businesses were affected by the fire: The Asian Culture Center, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club, Mayor Cup - LV Soccer Club, The Church of Greater Harvest Ministries, N2 Sleep, Smart Choices, and The Tabernacle.
UPDATE: 11:45PM 928 S Valley View Bl Asian Culture Center 3-Alarm fire that affected 6 businesses. Cause U/I, fire is OUT, still putting >> pic.twitter.com/fFwlR7u81E
— Las Vegas FireRescue (@LasVegasFD) October 9, 2016
2>> water on hotspots, pic of other businesses affect from worst dmg (Asian Center) to lesser. Investigators talking to witnesses. >>>> pic.twitter.com/cKAS2sqC9n
— Las Vegas FireRescue (@LasVegasFD) October 9, 2016
The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported.
