Fire Rages at Monte Carlo
On Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, fire broke out at the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino. We put up a lot of eyewitness stories on the television side, but we’d like to know if you saw it — what did you think, how did you feel — anything you want to tell us.
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Categories: Clark County
January 25th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
This is a horrible, horrible tragedy. We have visited Las Vegas several times over the last few years and have always felt safe and secure in all of the large hotels we’ve visited, Monte Carlo being one of our favorites. We are praying for the safety and protection of all of the staff, visitors, and firefighters at the Monte Carlo.
Ann Pedro
Connecticut
January 25th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
haven’t heard from monte carlo guest yet????
is it certain there are no reported injuries???
worried!!
January 25th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Not the best kind of news for our tourist industry… but, our firefighters displayed to the nation HOW SAFE LV REALLY IS!
January 25th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
It is 99% certain that there were no injuries.
I don’t think this incident will negatively effect Las Vegas’s reputation or tourist industry at all.
January 25th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
looks like another construction job will begin in Las Vegas!!
January 25th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Watching this from the Channel 8 live feed online.
I want to say how respectful I am of our fire fighters. To see those brave men on that roof among the furnace, fighting it, spraying water over it, was a sight to remember. We should give thanks & praise to these brave professionals. Your brave efforts were seen by the world.
January 25th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Pretty crazy! I work for one of the City Center contractors and was touring the job site with some visitors from our California office when this was going on. We actually walked through the Monte Carlo from the rear to the front on Las Vegas Blvd when the fire just started. By the time we walked outside we saw everyone looking up and it turned out heads and we saw all the black smoke! It was pretty scary seeing that smoke and knowing wejust walked through the building. I brought the visitors next door to our project and we went up to the 17th floor and watched the fire from there. It was a sight to see from that vatange point. The coolest part was the police helicopter fling overhead with someone sitting on the edge of the helicopter. We all thought the person in the helicopter was going to climb down a rope to the roof. But, that did not happen. Seeing all of the people coming out in the streets looked like a scene from a movie. Scary stuff! I’m glad there were no injuries.
Bill Godwin
January 25th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Yeah I was working on the Main City Center Building on the 24th floor, and saw a bunch on guys walking down the hall and someone told us the Monte Carlo Was on fire. Just Crazy, that’s all I can say. The funny part is that I was fire taping.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
My husband is a guest at the Monte Carlo, a room on the 25th floor. A hotel employee personally evacuated him from his room. He’s been hanging out at Fat Burger for hours. No word from Monte Carlo if/when they can return to their rooms, and he’s not being given any information from the hotel. They’ve been referred to the MGM until further notice.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Im glad this wasnt some sort of terrorist attack! you know how the us LOVES to jump to conclusions!!!!! anyways………hope everything is goood
January 25th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Is it possible for hotels to suffer from karma? We used to call Monte Carlo our Las Vegas home, but last few times we were treated so badly that we had decided not to return…..guess this will hold true RIP
January 25th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I was very scared when i found out because my father works at the mote carlo and i hadnt heard anything from him.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
From the news feeds it looks like the outer skin of the Monte Carlo was on fire. Even Chief Steve Smith said, the inner parts of the building were hardly touched or torched (however you want to look at it).
There was also a report of Welders on the roof… which only raises questions
January 25th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Its not a tragedy unless someone actually dies in it dummy. It makes for good gossip now at the tablesin Vegas.
January 25th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Ann–why is it a horribble, horrible tragedy? I didn’t see on the news that anyone died in it. You must be a pasaphist of some sort.
January 25th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I was not surprised that the casino did not notify the patrons on the main floor as for vegas “money is all” the guest is pampered all for the final end financial gain for the casino’s, one extra second of gambling can amount to a lot of money. And money is all that the vegas casinos care about.
January 25th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I am the Harrah’s Whistleblower, and this is the reason that I came forward as I did. If this would have happened at either the Rio Hotel or Harrah’s Hotel here in Las Vegas it would have been a disaster! When are people going to wake up and realize the magnitude of what Harrah’s did…illegal remodel work leaving behind unsafe rooms – very real public fire safety hazards! I take offense to Channel 8 telling everyone just how safe Las Vegas Hotels are…do your homework see just how much money Harrah’s has had to spend on repairing their rooms…some of which are still closed. Entities in this town that are responsible for protecting the public have done a great job protecting big business and this includes the Building Department, the Fire Department, OSHA, the Clark County Commissioners, the Health Department, the Nevada Gaming Commission, the DA’s Office, the AG’s Office, and the Police Department. It is time for people to be held accountable for their actions or lack of actions. The way that this town is run is disgusting and the people running it should be ashamed of themselves…instead they are filling their pockets or having them filled to look the other way or do their job poorly – I can’t think of any other reasonable explanation.
It is time for a change…a change in the way Las Vegas is run and I challenge you Channel 8 to be part of the solution by doing some hard nosed investigating & reporting to expose the truth!
January 25th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I worked at Monte Carlo for 3 years and it is sad to
see that the Penthouse floor is now a gone due to fire. Its is a beautiful resort.
January 25th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Justbooked trip to Vegas for March and wouldn’t you know, we booked at the Monte Carlo. With the way hotels take care of their appearances on the srtip, that place should be as good as new in no time. My highest respects to the men and woman who fight this stuff everyday, you are true everyday hero’s. All the bloggers out there calling this a tragedy, get real, no one got seriously hurt or died, come on. Your canadian friends hope it’s a quick rehab.
January 25th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Appreciate your work Fred!
Why do they use this extremely flammable EIFS on the sides of the buildings here? The fire spread very fast sideways. If this fire had started at the bottom of the building it could have engulfed the entire structure in a matter of minutes with everyone in it.
January 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
From what I have seen so far. It seems like Las Vegas handeled this situation pretty well. The fire department seemed quick to respond and put out the fire, and the police controlled the crowds and traffic from getting too chaotic. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt. However if this was a welding accident, should the exterior have caught on fire so fast?
January 25th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
There are no smoke detectors, heat detectors or sprinklers on a roof. If the fire started up there someone, not some thing, would have to report it.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
For people who do not think that this is a tragedy – Easy for you to smirk and say, “Well nobody DIED!” And we are certainly all grateful for that. But it is SAD. The managers are at the hotel right now and they are preparing to close down the hotel. That means that about 3,000 workers just lost their jobs. That’s a lot of families affected. My sister who is a single mother just lost her job and I can tell you that is a personal tragedy for her and her kids. I thank God our Firefighters and those who were on duty for keeping all who were in the building safe.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Great job by the Fire Department. The tragedy is the rape and pillage of the city by corporations and their increasingly ugly hotel and casinos. Whored up with signage and faux Euro crap trappings, what a pile.
Bring back the mob and go after Steve Wynn.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Uh, no, Ann Pedro, this is not a horrible tragedy. A horrible mess, perhaps, but not exactly a tragedy. Unless you were referring to the 1981 MGM Grand fire and your comment is only posting now, 27 years later.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:28 am
i heard that the workers at te montecarlo r still going to receive there pay n benifits till the hotle reopens. n knowing the owns of the mgm mirage ect they will have jobs too in the othere casinos. n i know the firedepart ment did a very very good job. but vegas does need to improve on the saftey issues the montecarlo will survive n come back.
January 26th, 2008 at 10:44 am
What an awesome job by CCFD and all the fire departments in the valley. We can’t pay these fine men and women enough for the service they provide. Its sad that its takes an incident of this nature to realize this. Good job FD.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:47 am
On a lighter side after the smoke has cleared.
Our Vegas motto:
What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas
has to be squashed cause this has made national news.
Our Vegas IS Showing.
January 26th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Mark D,
The EIFS product you are talking about actually did it’s job. The product itself melted and burned (which will happen with any exterior product) but the substrate underneath the EIFS (normally fire rated gypsum board or a fire rated sheathing) kept the fire from actually entering the building. Although the fire looked amazingly bad from the outside the EIFS system allowed time for the fire fighters to do an amazing job and put out a fire that was in difficult spot to reach. Had the exterior been stucco (portland cement) or metal and glass panels the fire would have spread much quicker into the interior of the building and many lives would have been risked.
January 26th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I was at work in Sparta, Wisconsin watching a snowstorm outside when my mom called me and told me to go to my Vegas News websites and that the Monte Carlo was on fire! My husband and I were married there and so we have very fond memories of the Monte Carlo. I am VERY happy to see that it was contained quickly and no one was seriously hurt. I hope to visit Vegas and the Monte Carlo again very soon.
January 26th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Don’t use this blog and act as an imposter to bash the city, other corporations or this station. CCFD did an excellent job. You are going to have your pessimistic people. Let them stay that way. This situation was handled very well. Very quick and got the fire out rather quickly considering where the fire started. And there was alarms to detech the fire on the roof. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a someone who noticed it. Again, stop speculating. This is done enough through the tabloids.
Great job CCFD, LVMPD and Monte Carlo. You will be back and better then ever!
January 26th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
If the Monte Carlo had a stucco or metal and glass exterior, It wouldn’t have caught fire to begin with, contary to what Dan said in his reply to Mark D. Most, but not all homes here in Las Vegas that use EIFS have fireproof stucco applied over it. The damage to the Monte Carlo isn’t as bad as it looks. EIFS is merely the styrofoam decoration that goes over the fire resistant substrate. EIFS is cheap and quick to replace.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
This fire certainly was NOT a major incident compared to the MGM fire of ‘81.. other than creating a distraction, the EIFS product of the exterior performed as it was expected; there was no internal fire damage, no human life loss or major property damage – what’s all the fuss about? I can’t understand why the broadcast media channels continue to make such drama from this incident. The continued exaggerated sensationalism is tired now. The building structure did it’s job as did the CCFD resulting in no loss of life.
Time to move on.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
It was quite a cookin blaze that dominated local TV news. I am sure the international news stations were focusing on things as well. It’s unfortunate that the fire dept. took a while to get it put out. All i saw on all the local stations were captions that said the fire was spreading, but i would think that getting up there to the roof area is not an easy task. They had hoses to carry, axes, picks, shovels, oxygen tanks, and every other tool a firefighter needs to extinguish such a blaze. It took quite a lot of coordination between all the firefighters to get a handle on things. Except for a few minor injuries, or smoke inhalation, everyone got out and is alive and kicking.
I checked on Youtube earlier this morning and there were AT LEAST 30 videos on the fire. Either Las Vegans were the dominant uploaders, or perhaps people all over the world were focusing on LV again, like they did less than 30 days ago for NYE, where things were a lot more fun. In such a unique city, where hotel-casinos with hundreds of people in them dominate the skyline, those people are in a potentially precarious situation. Just one spark, or one little flame, and those hundreds of people can be in deadly peril, like the tragic 1980 MGM Grand Fire. When you look at things in perspective, that only 80 something people died, when there was probably hundreds of people in the hotel at the time, that the death toll wasn’t a lot higher. The word “fire” is going to be always in the back of a lot of people’s minds now, when they go into one of the strip properties. I hopefully won’t ever see another deadly fire on the strip.
Now, lets all collectively sigh in relief that the fire is out, and that another huge tragedy has been averted.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Kudos to the Harrah’s whistleblower!!!!!!!!! We need more people like you to show that Las Vegas shouldn’t be all about money! It’s about SAFETY first! To avert another 1980 MGM fire should be main goal of all those strip properties. I was watching a Youtube video on that MGM fire this morning. The way many of those people died in their hotel rooms, way up in the higher floors, where the fire was mostly exposed to the casino area, were because of design flaws in the buildings. They were sitting ducks, not even knowing about the blaze below. They all died from smoke inhalation that was seeping up through the A/C vents and through the walls. They were found in normal positions. Some were laying on beds, some were on chairs, and some were on the floor. They were feeling strange, like intoxicated. It was the effects of carbon monoxide that was putting them into a deadly slumber. It goes to show what complete insanity Harrah’s has tried to get away with.
We don’t need another hotel fire here in Vegas. We’ve had so many, and thankfully, only two, the MGM fire and the Hilton fire, were deadly. We need to expose the money-grubbing hotel execs for what they are. They care so much about those dead presidents in their wallets that they don’t care about safety, which would prevent a tragic situation of many dead hotel guests.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
The Firefighters did an Outstanding Job!!
The Monte Carlo staff was excellent under adverse conditions.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I guess with all the construction around the Monte Carlo they felt left out. (thought) How can we make our hotel bigger and renovate everything….for free? hmmmm (lights a match). JK
I am very happy no one was injured…good on the fire response teams in gaining control of it so quickly.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I think the firefighters did an outstanding job. This does however bring to light the unpreparedness of hotel staff as to alarms and evacuation. On our trips to Las Vegas we have always found that staff is unfamiliar with the hotel within which they work. To not immediately evacuate is playing with people’s lives – had the wind changed that whole facade would have been on fire and guests trapped inside.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:34 am
My Wife and i are quite shocked to see that “our” spot when we go to LasVegas has caught on fire. We fell in love with the Monte Carlo just as soon we walked into the lobby! Now i guess we are going to have to stay at another Hotel but i don’t think it is going to be the same.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I also want to let Fred know how much we appreciate him going out on a limb for all of us.
The whole time our skies were filled with black toxic smoke, I kept thinking about how our town was missing one of it’s concerned citizens.
Whistleblowers are met with
“Kill the Messenger” mentality by Clark County Officials. How can we forget that Maddox signed off on the Harrahs/ Rio mess in February? They called Fred a liar from day one. Fred hung in their and showed them what it’s all about. What a bunch of scumbags running this county. The timng is perfect. If your out their Fred, you and I need to talk. Call Joan at the RJ and she’ll hook us up. Looking forward to meeting you.
John Dempsey.
Fellow Federal Whistleblower that was attacked by the powers that shouldn’t exist in Las Vegas. Time to clean house. Please call Joan. Thanks again.
Let’s go one step further. I need your help.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I was a guest in the Monte Carlo when this unfortunate accident occured, and I applaud all employees, staff and emergency crews for their immediate control, professionalism, and concerns for us guests during and after this fire. It was amazing how all the sister hotels welcomed us, and took us under their wings. We were offered (at Bellagio) clothing to stay warm and personal care packages immediately. They also personally called us to keep us up to date on the situation and our belongings at the Monte Carlo. Upon returning to retrieve our luggage, again…very professional and curtious everyone was. As far as my husband and I are concerned – hats off to all involved in the Monte Carlo accident – we applaud you all and thank you for everything. Vegas may look and seem all about “the money” but when push comes to shove we know different. Good Luck in a fast and safe reopening!!
January 28th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I was a guest and the staff were not as prepared as many think. We got a bottle of water and potato chips – and 2 days later our luggage and the bills.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I just want to say what a GREAT AND MAGNIFICENT job our FDs did. Put out a high rise fire within 2 hours !!! That should show the world that Vegas is still safe. What place does not have fires? I do not personally think this will affect our tourist industry here. I agree with the people who say this is not a tragedy, NO ONE DIED, Yes the casino is going to have to repair itself. BUT MGM-MIRAGE HAS HOW MANY PROPERTIES? HOW MUCH MONEY? This is not a tragedy, people did not die or get seriously hurt. The only people crying is the fat, rich hotel owners !!!
Thx to the CCFD, LVFD, NLVFD, and the HFD, for all of their heroic talent that was called on in an instant.
One question, not to be rude or offend anyone, HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD HANG OUT A WINDOW 32 STORIES IN THE AIR WITH A HEAVY HOSE SPRAYING GALLONS OF WATER A SECOND???
The next time there is a fire and someone dies or the structure burns down, think, how many lives have they saved in the past???
Thank You for reading !!!
January 29th, 2008 at 12:48 am
[...] remains closed. The Strip remains closed from Trop to Harmon, as well as exits and exit ramps. A comment blog has been set up at Channel 8 for eyewitness [...]
January 29th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I’m from England and I was shocked to see on our BBC news that the Monte Carlo was on fire. We quickly switched to Sky news
to find out what was happening. We love Las Vegas having been a few times now and were really releaved that those wonderful fire firefighters got it under control as quickly as they did and that no one was hurt. Hope they get it sorted soon. Best wishes to all from this side of the pond.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I was a registered guest at the Monte Carlo but not in the building at the time the fire was discovered. It was a little unnerving to stand there watching the smoke, especially when we called our friends still in the hotel and they had not yet heard anything about it!
They got out safely and I have to commend the MGM Mirage organization for a relatively smooth handling of what must have been a pretty daunting task (transferring 3000+ guests, and then later arranging for them to get their belongings). Yes, being relocated was inconvenient for us in a number of ways. However, we left Las Vegas several days later impressed with the city’s hospitality and the ability of the hotel organization to rally.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I will agree the FD did a great job or it would have been much worse – and the city was friendly (way to much free beer for a displaced guest….).
January 30th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
[...] remains closed. The Strip remains closed from Trop to Harmon, as well as exits and exit ramps. A comment blog has been set up at Channel 8 for eyewitness [...]
January 30th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I was in the casino of the Monte Carlo when the fire broke out. I had no idea anything was wrong until I looked up from my slot machine and saw casino workers running! My husband and I walked to the nearest exit, and passed a mini bar on the way out, with 2 televisions on, only to see that the hotel was on fire! Talk about a shock! We watched from across the street. The firefighters did a tremendous job under extremely difficult circumstances. We were on the 27th floor of the hotel, and were able to claim our belongings Saturday night. We had our flight bumped back to Monday night, and while we were at the airport, after security, someone stole on of our carry on bags that had my video recorder in it. If I ever see Vegas again it will be too soon. The only good thing that came out of it was there were no casualties in the fire. It broke my heart to have our camera stolen – precious family videos and pictures were on that camera that can never be replaced.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:33 am
If you’re looking for some background information about what EIFS is, check out my website: http://www.eifs.com
Rob Thomas – EIFS Consultant
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:02 am
Most welding in Las Vegas is done without permits or safety equipment. Welding is done by illegals who lack any training or certification, that’s why they can’t get a permit. If you tell them to lay down mats and get a fire extinguisher, they’ll spent the day fighting with you, and shooting their sparks in your direction. Most of the welds are structurally inferior and could never pass an inspection. Why isn’t this terrorism?
June 5th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Fires in huge buildings are a real nightmare. Being in the building when it breaks out must be quite scary, but things like that happen. I suppose on can just try to build safely, but these fires remain a tragedy for a number of peole and their families.