Posted on: July 23, 2023, 12:44h.
Last updated on: July 23, 2023, 12:53h.
Fire officials continue to investigate a rooftop fire at the Fontainebleau Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip that occurred on Saturday afternoon. The fire caused a plume of smoke visible for miles, and 93 firefighters were called to the scene.
The fire is believed to have started with roofing materials and debris on top of the 67-story blue structure, according to Las Vegas TV station KTNV.
Clark County Fire Department and Las Vegas Fire and Rescue received the first report of the fire at around 3:41 p.m.
Firefighters reached the hotel within six minutes and used elevators to access the roof.
They quickly extinguished the fire, containing it to the roof. The area was searched to ensure the safety of workers and construction crews.
The fire was extinguished at 4:19 p.m., with the building’s fire pumps automatically activating.
No injuries were reported.
As a precaution, firefighters stayed hydrated in the extreme heat and took rotational breaks during the firefighting efforts. The temperature in Las Vegas reached approximately 114°F during the incident.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Fontainebleau Hotel described the incident as a “minor fire” that was swiftly contained.
The hotel is fully cooperating with local officials in their investigation into the cause of the fire.
“As safety and security are our highest priorities, we are working closely with the investigators,” the hotel said in the statement.
Clark County Deputy Fire Chief Billy Samuels did not disclose an estimate of the fire’s damage.
Many Crews Respond
A total of 93 firefighters responded to the scene, including 12 fire engines, four ladder trucks, seven rescue units, four battalion chiefs, two heavy rescue units, and two air crews.
Officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) also arrived to provide assistance. Hotel security guards aided emergency crews in accessing the roof, as reported by the Las Vegas Review Journal.
To allow firefighters to combat the blaze, LVMPD officers closed Elvis Presley Boulevard between Las Vegas Boulevard and Paradise Road.
Thank you for your inquiries and well wishes for our employees. LVFR Units are on the scene for an incident at Fountainbleu. This incident is within @ClarkCountyFD Jurisdiction. Their team is taking the lead and will provide more information as it becomes available. Stay Safe,… pic.twitter.com/eNaTgvkgGZ
— Las Vegas FireRescue (@LasVegasFD) July 22, 2023
Years of Construction
The Fontainebleau Hotel is currently closed to guests due to ongoing renovations and is expected to reopen later this year.
Construction on the Fontainebleau began in 2007 but was halted in 2009 due to an economic downturn.
The casino has changed ownership multiple times.
The longest owner was Carl Icahn, who purchased the bankrupt project in 2010 for $151 million.
Icahn sold the unfinished resort to Steve Witkoff and the Witkoff Group for $600 million in 2017.
In early 2021, Witkoff sold the property to Jeff Soffer’s Fontainebleau Development and Koch Real Estate Investments (KREI) for an undisclosed amount.
In December, KREI announced securing $2.2 billion in funding to complete the Fontainebleau. The funding is provided by JPMorgan Chase, SMBC, Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies, Goldman Sachs, Guggenheim Partners, and VICI Properties. VICI is a real estate investment trust controlled by Caesars Entertainment.
Once completed, the hotel will feature approximately 3,700 luxury guest rooms, over half a million square feet of convention and event space, and various dining, retail, and wellness amenities.