Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

ATF: Fire at apartment construction site was arson; reward offered

$30 Million Fire in SouthWest Valley

Steve Marcus

Clark Country firefighters continue to put water on an overnight fire that destroyed an apartment complex under construction near Tropicana Avenue and Fort Apache Road Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The fire caused an estimated $25 million to $30 million in damage, according to the Clark County Fire Department.

Updated Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 | 4:20 p.m.

$30 Million Fire in SouthWest Valley

Building materials smolder after an overnight fire destroyed an apartment complex under construction near Tropicana Avenue and Fort Apache Road Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The fire caused an estimated $25 million to $30 million in damage, according to the Clark County Fire Department. Launch slideshow »

A huge fire that reduced a Las Vegas apartment complex under construction to ashes last week was arson, local and federal fire officials said Wednesday, and a $10,000 reward was posted to find the culprit.

Patrick Gorman, a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives official, said investigators found evidence that a flammable substance was used to fuel the midnight Jan. 18 blaze that destroyed the 206-unit luxury apartment complex southwest of the Las Vegas Strip.

“It was intentionally set and is an act of arson,” Gorman told reporters.

About 100 firefighters fought towering flames amid gusty winds for several hours, preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby neighborhoods.

No injuries were reported, but Clark County fire officials said the project was a complete loss. Damage was estimated at up to $35 million.

Gorman said the ATF was continuing work to identify the person or people responsible for the fire and was accepting tips through the reportit.com website and agency tip line.