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Vacant house fire under investigation near Decatur, Vegas Drive

Posted at 12:22 PM, Aug 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-07 21:43:43-04

A boarded up vacant home caught fire Sunday morning.
 
Las Vegas firefighters responded to the 5200 block of Pebble Beach Boulevard, near Vegas Drive and Decatur Boulevard, at 10:25 a.m. Sunday for a reported house fire. On arrival, flames were coming out from underneath a carport of the house. The flames extended to a one-story house next door catching the roof on fire.
 
Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control. The fire caused minor damage to the house next door. The fire originated in the vacant house on the inside. A damage estimate is not available at this time.
 
The cause of the fire is under investigation, however, neighbors believe squatters may be to blame.

Maria Magana says her family has been living in fear for two years of the homeless people who come and stay nearly every day in the vacant house. Her house was damaged by the flames.

"Most of the time they're talking and drinking," she said. "I don't know. Most of the time I just get in the house and I don't come out at all.

Magana says she is calling on the city to do more than they have been. She added that the city has cleared out squatters out a few times with the most recent being two months ago. However, she says the homeless people keep returning.
 
There were no injuries reported.