This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7210121.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Major fire grips Las Vegas hotel Blaze sweeps huge Las Vegas hotel
(about 1 hour later)
A major fire has broken out on the roof and top floor of a hotel and casino complex in the US city of Las Vegas. A fire has been raging on the roof and top floor of a hotel and casino complex in the US city of Las Vegas.
Plumes of smoke have been rising from the Monte Carlo hotel on the city's main street, the Strip. Plumes of smoke billowed from the Monte Carlo hotel on the city's main street, the Strip, but the blaze was quickly contained by firefighters.
City and country firefighters were called to the blaze, which broke out at about 1100 (1900 GMT). The fire broke out at about 1100 (1900 GMT) but an hour later TV footage appeared to show the flames under control and largely extinguished.
No injuries were reported and the building was evacuated, but the fire is proving difficult to put out as firefighters have to get to the roof. No injuries were reported and the building was evacuated.
Firefighting teams are trying to determine if the flames have penetrated the interior of the top floors, which are filled with penthouse suites, or if the blaze is confined to the facade. Tim Szymanski from the Las Vegas Fire Department told the BBC the blaze appeared to be confined to the outside of the building:
There are reports of debris falling from the roof. The entire Las Vegas Strip has been shut to traffic and neighbouring hotels have also been evacuated. "It's a little difficult because... you don't have fire ladders that can reach up to the 32nd floor, they can only go up to about the sixth or seventh floor. The fire appears to be on the exterior of the building, not on the inside," he said.
He added that the building was fully equipped with automatic fire sprinklers.
'Burning debris'
Larry Wappel, from Indiana, told AP news agency that he and his brother were in a room on the 30th floor when they heard hotel staff banging on doors and telling guests to evacuate. He said it took about 10 minutes to walk down the stairs to get to the ground floor.
"There were a couple of ladies crying, but it was pretty calm," he added.
Another guest, Renza Badilla, was on the main casino level when the fire alarms went off and said she exited through the hotel kitchen to find burning debris and embers falling from the roof.
The entire Las Vegas Strip was shut to traffic and neighbouring hotels also evacuated.
The 3,000-room Monte Carlo hotel and adjoining casino are owned by entertainment company MGM Mirage.The 3,000-room Monte Carlo hotel and adjoining casino are owned by entertainment company MGM Mirage.
A fire at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Hotel in 1980 claimed more than 80 lives and injured nearly 700 people.A fire at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Hotel in 1980 claimed more than 80 lives and injured nearly 700 people.
/>
Have you been caught up in events? Are you staying at the Monte Carlo or are you in the area? Send us your accounts, some of which may be published.Have you been caught up in events? Are you staying at the Monte Carlo or are you in the area? Send us your accounts, some of which may be published.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
NameName