Home developer hit with series of suspicious fires

A series of eight suspicious fires in the past five weeks at Lewis Homes construction sites in southwest Las Vegas has authorities wondering if someone has a vendetta against the company or if there is another motive for the apparent arsons that have caused $1.2 million in damages.

"We haven't ruled anyone out," Clark County Fire Department spokesman Bob Leinbach said Monday, a few hours after the latest home to be torched was discovered about 6 a.m.

The early morning fire, which a Lewis Homes spokesperson said will result in the $150,000 unoccupied structure being razed, was in the Amber Point Community in the 4500 block of S. Durango Drive.

A fire in the same development Sunday night destroyed two other homes nearing completion and severely damaged a third, causing an estimated $300,000 in damages.

On July 12 fire destroyed six Lewis Homes under construction at a development in the area of Durango Drive and Desert Inn, less than a mile from Monday's fire.

Leinbach said the July 12 fires were preceded by a fire in a portable toilet a day or so before.

Several toilets have been burned at various Lewis Homes construction sites, he noted.

Leinbach said there are common traits that link all of the fires, but did not elaborate.

How the fires were started was not revealed.

All of the arsons have taken place at construction sites, with some of the homes nearing completion and others in earlier stages of development.

With the exception of the Monday morning fires, all of the arsons have taken place between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Meanwhile Lewis Homes officials are stumped.

"We're baffled by it," said Lewis Homes Regional Manager Leah Bryant. "We feel truly the victims here. There is no way to control it. We don't know where it's coming from."

Bryant said security forces at selected construction sites have been doubled, but the company still feels vulnerable.

"We're cooperating with the fire department," Bryant said. "We have fenced in several of our job sites and are in the process of fencing others.

"But beyond that, we are not sure how to stop it."

Bryant said the company at first thought the arsons were juvenile acts, but now think that may not be the case.

She declined to speculate on motives or individuals, deferring to fire department investigators.

"We're hoping the investigation does lead to something. We will cooperate in any way, shape or form," Bryant said.

Leinbach said no motive has been eliminated. He said it could be a series of coincidences, a labor dispute or any number of other reasons.

He is asking anyone with any information about the fires to call 385-5555.

"We have canvassed the area, looking for witnesses," he said.

So far the only injuries due to the fires have been minor ones, including a cut hand and smoke inhalation.

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