Given the multitude of natural and other disasters that have occurred across the United States, many people don’t know that one of the worst disasters in U.S. history occurred right here in Nevada.
On 21 November 1980 a devastating fire erupted at the MGM Grand Hotel at 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South. The fire killed 85 people and injured 650 guests, employees, and firefighters, many through smoke inhalation. Today, this horrific fire remains the worst disaster in Nevada history and the third-worst hotel fire in modern U.S. history.
The Las Vegas Strip in the 1970s. Notice the MGM sign behind the Aladdin on the right.
Allen/Flickr
The old MGM Grand in 1973. This new design would revolutionize Las Vegas hotels emphasizing larger buildings, more office-like facades, and bigger and more elaborate signs.
Brian/Flickr
At approximately 7:07 a.m. on 21 November 1980, 5,000 guests were staying in this 26-story, 2,000-room luxury resort when tragedy struck. The fire originated in one of the hotel’s restaurants, The Deli.
Clark County Gov./Public Domain
There were no sprinklers installed in this area of the hotel, and the fire quickly spread to the lobby at a rate of 15-19 feet per second, fueled by wallpaper, plastic mirrors, PVC pipe, and glue, and culminated with an enormous fireball spewing out the front doors. Seven people in the casino perished. The toxic fumes traveled upward via elevators and vents and, tragically, caused the remainder of deaths.
Clark County Gov./Wikimedia Commons
Investigators attributed the fire’s cause to an electrical ground fault inside a wall socket. Specifically, the copper refrigerant pipes from a pastry display case came in contact with a preexisting electrical conduit. Vibrations, jagged edges, and stretched wires with no plastic covering due to faulty construction eventually triggered arcing of the ungrounded conduit and sparked the fire.
Lost and Found Vegas/Facebook
This picture was taken from the parking lot of the Treasury Hotel and Casino which, today, is Hooters Casino Hotel.
Allen/Flickr
Following this tragedy, major upgrades were conducted (including a highly sophisticated sprinkler system), and the property was sold to Bally Entertainment. Today, the old MGM is now Bally’s Las Vegas.
Friscocali/Flickr
Today, the MGM Grand stands at 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South and does resemble its predecessor.
Leonardo Pallotta/Flickr
Just 90 days after the devastating MGM fire, another broke out at the Las Vegas Hilton. This triggered a major overhaul of fire safety codes and guidelines. In 1981, a Nevada law went into effect that requires all buildings open to the public must have smoke detectors in rooms and elevators, fire sprinklers, and exit maps in all rooms. Today, Nevada remains a leader in national fire safety regulations.
Allen/Flickr
Brian/Flickr
Clark County Gov./Public Domain
Clark County Gov./Wikimedia Commons
Lost and Found Vegas/Facebook
Friscocali/Flickr
Leonardo Pallotta/Flickr
Do you remember this horrible tragedy—one of the worst disasters in U.S. history?
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