Gusty wind fans fire that damaged two houses

By Mary Manning

Published Thursday, April 23, 2009 | 5:26 p.m.

Updated Thursday, April 23, 2009 | 6:26 p.m.

A fire that started between two houses on 11th Street and Sweeney Avenue was spread by gusty winds and destroyed both residences.

Las Vegas Fire Department firefighters evacuated some surrounding homes as a precaution, said David Riggleman, director of communications for the City of Las Vegas. There were no injuries, Riggleman said.

The call came in at about 3:19 p.m., said Jace Radke, a City of Las Vegas spokesman. Firefighters had doused the blaze by 3:39 p.m.

As the first engines arrived for a smoke check, firefighters saw heavy smoke at the front of one house and flames leaping 30 to 40 feet into the air at the back of both houses, Radke said.

The winds did not hinder firefighters' efforts to put out the fire, Radke said.

Damages to both homes totaled $200,000, Radke said. One house had $150,000 in damage; the other an estimated $50,000, he said.

Fire investigators are still on the scene sifting through the charred houses in an effort to find the cause of the blaze, Riggleman said.

Southwest winds gusted at more than 30 mph this afternoon in the Las Vegas Valley, according to the National Weather Service.