LAS VEGAS (AP) – An escalator fire sent smoke billowing into parts of Las Vegas’ glitzy Caesars Palace, sending three hotel workers to the hospital with smoke inhalation and leading to an evacuation early Monday, fire officials said.
The Clark County Fire Department says the fire reported about 3:30 a.m. came from the top of the main escalators at the promenade level into the hotel’s convention center and spread to curtains. Smoke swept from a ballroom area into the casino, prompting the evacuation at the convention center and nearby areas.
Caesars Entertainment Corporation spokeswoman Jennifer Forkish said 140 hotel rooms on three floors of the Palace Tower were evacuated for about two hours. Some shops nearby and a part of the casino floor were also briefly evacuated.
No patrons or hotel guests were injured.
It took about 25 minutes to contain and all hotel and casino operations have since returned to normal.
The fire department said damage is estimated at $100,000.
It’s the second Strip fire in recent days.
On Friday morning, there was a grease fire at a restaurant and bar at the Treasure Island hotel-casino that also required an evacuation.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
