Nevada lawmakers revamped high-rise safety codes after 85 people died as a result of the MGM Grand fire in November 21, 1980 — marking the 32 year anniversary today — and eight died in an arson less than three months later at the Las Vegas Hilton, reports the Las vegas Sun.
The fires ended serious opposition to implementing the toughest fire-safety regulation reforms in the country — changes Clark County officials say have made Las Vegas Strip resorts among the safest anywhere.
Since then, there hasn’t been a fire-related death at any Strip resort, said Ron Lynn, director of the Clark County Building Department. “These buildings are rigorously developed and built,” Lynn said. “We have the safest large structures in the world.”
A Jan. 25, 2008, fire at the Monte Carlo was a testament to the changes. After welders sparked a fire on the roof about 11 a.m., some 5,000 guests and 1,000 employees were evacuated. Seventeen people were treated for smoke inhalation, but there were no serious injuries. The fire was put out at 12:15 p.m., and the resort reopened in three weeks.
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