UPDATE
As of Wednesday morning, crews are still on the scene of the apartment complex fire at West Maule. Clark County officials said there are currently 23 personnel on scene.
According to county officials, the decision was made to allow the buildings to burn in a controlled manner while protecting the clubhouse, which is a single-story building to the east. The developer said the clubhouse was valued at $10 million to $15 million.
In addition, county officials add fires in the buildings were "inaccessible to exterior water streams" and it was too dangerous to send firefighters into the buildings.
The county said specialized equipment is being brought in to demolish what is left of the damaged structures and is expected to be on scene tomorrow. County officials said equipment normally used for this task isn't able to stay far enough away from the building and the concrete slab the buildings are on top of cover underground parking and it's unknown if those were damaged in the fire.
Fire officials said the site will continue to smolder and smoke for the next several days. While that happens, they add traffic closures on Maule will remain in place.
One firefighter was injured last night and has been released.
As for air quality, the Clark County Department of Air Quality said there is a slight increase in particulate from the monitoring station at Paul Meyer Park, which is located at Tropicana and Rainbow. They add anyone who may be impacted to limit their outdoor exposure and run indoor air through air filters to limit exposure to fire products.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY
There is a large fire developing at a building under construction near Buffalo and I-215 in southwest Las Vegas and is impacting traffic.
WATCH LIVE: Large fire puts up smoke in southwest Las Vegas.
Crews are on scene with about 75 personnel, 11 engines and three trucks. No injuries have been reported.
Crews are expected to remain for five to six hours. Winds caused embers that caused spot fires across the freeway.
The building is considered unstable and a total loss.
We are at 215 & Buffalo where an apartment building fire is happening, the apartment complex was under construction. Heavy smoke in the area and fire crews are putting out hotspots in the area from embers flying to nearby buildings @ktnv pic.twitter.com/FHBqGlnMHa
— Joe Moeller (@joemoeller44) June 21, 2023
CCFD says the initial defensive strategy by fire crews has prevented damage to surrounding buildings.
The exposed wood of the construction site was a concern by fire crews due to its ability to accelerate flames, in addition to today's high winds.
RTC announced that the three right lanes are blocked on I-215 South before Buffalo Drive.
Multiple calls started to come in around 4:30 p.m., according to the Clark County Fire Department (CCFD)
Initial reports from first responding agencies show the location to be in the 8000 Block of West Maule Avenue in Las Vegas.
