Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

No bodies found at first Key Largo site targeted by cadaver dogs

Key Largo Fire

Steve Marcus

Firefighters head into the old Key Largo Casino on Flamingo Avenue and Paradise Road as they battle a four-alarm fire at the casino Thursday, March 28, 2013.

Updated Saturday, March 30, 2013 | 5:57 p.m.

Key Largo Casino Fire

Clark County and City of Las Vegas firefighters battle a four-alarm fire at the old Key Largo Casino on Flamingo Avenue and Paradise Road Thursday, March 28, 2013. Launch slideshow »

Former Key Largo Casino

Cadaver dogs alerted firefighters working to clean up debris from Thursday’s Key Largo casino fire to possible bodies at two locations within the charred building, a Clark County spokesman said Saturday.

Late Saturday afternoon, Pappa said no bodies had been found at the first location identified by cadaver dogs and that the search would continue at the second identified location Sunday.

Firefighters brought in heavy equipment to remove debris and shore up collapsed portions of the vacant building so the search for bodies can continue.

Pappa said in a statement that cadaver dogs are often wrong.

Firefighters received assistance in the search from Nevada Task Force 1, a specialized group of paramedics, structural engineers, search-and-rescue personnel and hazardous-material specialists.

The Key Largo casino, 377 E. Flamingo Road, suffered an estimated $4.5 million in damage in the fire.

On Friday, Clark County issued an order that the building, which has been abandoned since 2007, be demolished by April 26.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Clark County firefighters and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Deputy Fire Chief Erik Newman said the initial investigation showed that the fire started at opposite ends of the building and that there were signs people had previously sought shelter in the vacant casino.

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