What Happens in Vegas. . .You Forget You're in Vegas!

I've lived in the Las Vegas Valley for over 16 years, four in Henderson, and twelve in Silverado Ranch (which is a region in Paradise Township). Both jobs that I've had since I've lived here have to do with working directly with casinos and hotels. I've been in more hotel rooms in this town than a high-priced call girl. Putting up signs mostly. But most days, I forget I live in a tourism mecca. It simply doesn't register.

One of many shots I took and blogged of the Monte Carlo fire.

I cross Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip) almost every single day. I see the entire strip from the south end just as often. From my office window--if I stand up--I can see the Palms, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood and City Center.  If I stand on the library stool, I can see more of the strip, as I did the day that the Monte Carlo caught fire (picture here taken after I climbed up on my office roof!). But unless it is for work related reasons, or someone has come from out of town, I simply ignore it all for the most part.



On those occasions that I go gambling (rare these days, thank goodness), I usually hit Silverton Lodge & Casino, a locals joint between work and home.  When I drive to work, the only time I even notice the skyline is if something is different, or if the sun is bouncing off the Luxor into my eyes. If I need to go to the strip, I'll do my best to avoid LV Blvd. north of Tropicana at all costs, and fortunately, there are back ways and side ways to get many places. I can't tell you how often my best laid plans are thwarted though--I'll misremember a turn or traffic light--and end up stuck in crawling traffic. Ugh. Hate it.

And when it comes to the big resorts, I've yet to check out City Center or Cosmopolitan at all. I feel like I've seen it all, literally from the inside out. Nothing wows me. Wynn and Encore? Yawn. But every now and again, I'll look out the window of my car, or--as in this shot--simply look up when I'm on my 4-mile walk, and say, "Hey! I'm in Las Vegas!" Then the moment passes. This time, I had my cell phone camera though, so the moment was captured for posterity.



My usual walk, toward the Wynn and the Stratosphere. We live
about four miles south of McCarran Airport.



Monte Carlo Las Vegas Fire Started by Welders

Photo from source, CNN

Oh, big surprise. While the fire was still burning (and I was still on my employer's roof, taking pictures) we heard that there had been welders on the roof of the Monte Carlo, installing a window-washing system. 1 + 1 = 2, and welders + fire = probable cause, right? Right. And so it goes.

[Excerpt]

Officials: Casino fire accidental, likely started by cutting torch

A fire at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas last week was likely caused by flying molten metal from a cutting torch being used by construction crews, the Clark County Fire Department said Thursday. . .

Read more at: CNN

Monte Carlo, Las Vegas Must Remove Facade

Photo from source, Raw Story

It's difficult to tell by this story, but I suspect that the Monte Carlo Hotel will have to remove the foam facade from the entire top of the building, and not just the burned portions, at least eventually. Clearly, whatever the material is, it's quite flammable, and not particularly safe.

I drove by the place this afternoon, and it's downright creepy looking. The damage may be largely superficial, but from the ground it doesn't look that way. I give it a week, maybe two before MGM begins vigorous repair work. I know they won't want one of their properties to look like a burned-out hulk for very long!

[Excerpt]

Official orders casino facade removed

The burned exterior facade along the roof of the Monte Carlo hotel-casino will have to be removed or secured before the Las Vegas Strip resort can reopen, the chief county building inspector said Saturday.

Ron Lynn, chief of the Clark County Building Department, said the 32-story building will remain closed until resort owner MGM Mirage Inc. completes work to the roof-line foam building material damaged in Friday's blaze. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Monte Carlo, Las Vegas Fire - No Injuries

Photo from MSNBC

I've just posted my exclusive photos of the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino fire, taken from the roof of my office building here in Las Vegas. But for a little of what actually happened, how 'bout I turn it over to the pros?

[Excerpt]

Blaze at Monte Carlo on the Las Vegas Strip

All guests were evacuated from the 32-story Monte Carlo Resort and Casino after a three-alarm fire broke out on the roof Friday, closing part of the Las Vegas Strip and snarling traffic as tourists flocked in for the weekend. . .

Read more (with video) at: MSNBC

EXCLUSIVE: Monte Carlo, Las Vegas on FIRE!

OK, yeah, I know it's everywhere. But I took these pictures as it happened, so they are technically exclusive!

At around 11:00 am, my boss buzzed my intercom, and said, "can you see smoke from the Monte Carlo from your office?" I turned around to my window, and sure enough, there it was. By standing on my chair (not smart, since it swivels), I could see the entire portion that was ablaze.

Not satisfied, I decided to go outside and get some photos. Even that wasn't a good vantage point, so I climbed up on our roof! Here are the shots.


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