Las Vegas, NV – Sprinkler system halts hotel fire started by careless smoking

Careless smoking is suspected after a fire this morning at a Fremont Street hotel forced the evacuation of three floors.

Firefighters responded just before 12:50 a.m. at the Golden Nugget Hotel, 129 Fremont St., according to a Las Vegas Fire & Rescue news release. The fire was reported on the ninth floor of the Carson Tower. The building has 18 floors. Guests on the eighth, ninth, and 10th floors were evacuated.

When firefighters arrived on the ninth floor, they found moderate smoke in the hallway. When they entered the room, they found the fire had already been brought under control because of an automatic fire sprinkler in the room. No one was in the room when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters found a small portion of a mattress was smoldering. There was also damage to the head board on the bed, and the rest of the hotel room had minor smoke damage. Damage was estimated at $10,000.

Investigators said they believe the fire is smoking related. The guest was in bed sleeping when the fire sprinkler activated allowing her to leave without injury.

The hotel returned to normal services within 90 minutes.