Fire erupts at swimming pool of hotel on Las Vegas Strip
Firefighters took 30 minutes to control the blaze, which broke out on the 14th floor of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel, Clark County fire chief, Greg Cassell, said.
One person was taken to a hospital with smoke inhalation. A second person was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. Nobody was burned. Flames ignited on the pool deck, Clark County fire spokeswoman, Sandra Baker, said.
The fire was reported at 12.15pm, via multiple 911 calls. The blaze consumed pool cabanas, chairs and furniture. Some 110 firefighters battled the fire, and evacuated people. The fire did not spread into the hotel, but smoke got into some floors above the 14th, because windows were open. Firefighters used temporary fans to blow the smoke out.
The 14th and 15th floors in the hotelās West End tower will remain closed until further notice, hotel officials said. The pool, a fitness centre and a spa will also be closed indefinitely.
Some guests will be relocated within the resort or to other properties, hotel officials said.
It could be some time before the cause of the fire is determined, Cassell said. Investigators are interviewing guests and watching cellphone videos.
Julio Loredo, of San Francisco, was in his room, on the 33rd floor of the neighbouring Vdara hotel, when it started to darken.
āWe looked out the window, and there was ash hitting our window,ā Loredo said.
He then looked out a hallway window, where he saw guests fleeing The Cosmopolitan pool deck.
āPeople were running. We could see small explosions,ā Loredo said. āIt was in less than a minute that it was completely engulfed.ā
He also saw people running out of the hotel doors and onto the Strip. āIāve never seen anything like it before. It was unbelievable,ā Loredo said.
The fire also shut down streets around the Strip for several hours, and a few remain closed on Saturday afternoon.
