LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The cause behind the large fire that engulfed several businesses on a strip mall near UNLV on Friday morning is likely to be considered "undetermined," according to the Clark County Fire Department.
The Clark County Fire Department saying Monday the building has been condemned and is now set to be demolished.
WATCH: Ryan Ketcham talks to locals who frequented local strip mall
Caution tape still blocks the University Gardens shopping center after the fire. It's located on Maryland Parkway across the street from UNLV between Tropicana Avenue and Harmon Avenue.
TIME LAPSE: This traffic camera video shows the scale of the blaze and how firefighters responded:
Many who frequent the area tell me they're still in shock, days later.
“It was crazy seeing that on Friday, completely gone destroyed," said UNLV employee Percy Kinser.
Kinser says he'd walk through the center almost daily.
“It was just there the other day," said Kinser.
I asked him if it's surreal seeing the businesses gone and burned down.
"Yeah, I used to go there all the time at the post office, always would use my mail, all of that," said Kisner.
He says seeing the fire destroying this building and all the businesses inside gave him a different perspective on life.
“It makes me thankful for life really," said Kisner. "Everything can just be gone in a second, so I’m thankful for where I am right now.”
Clark County fire officials say the fire destroyed several businesses, including a tattoo shop, Tastebudz Creole Kitchen and a post office.
UNLV seniors Zamira Solo and Andrew Ploudre say they always come to this center.
“Literally once a week, every time we have class once a week we’re always here, maybe twice on our days off, too," said Solo.
They usually get boba. Now, while the boba shop did not burn down, it is partially blocked off right now from the fire, along with several other surrounding businesses.
Solo tells me it's sad to see so many nearby businesses destroyed.
“It’s like a lot was lost and like also seeing how it impacted other people’s lives, too, like now people are out of jobs, like it’s so sad," said Solo.
According to Clark County, the fire is still under investigation, and the building's condition is making it too hard for crews to examine; however, they say, "The fire did not originate on the exterior and migrate to the interior, therefore unlikely caused by something/someone outside of the building."
Smoke from the blaze could be seen from miles away on Friday morning. This video shared with Channel 13 shows the column of smoke and some flames:
Clark County says there were no sprinklers inside to help with the firefight, due to the year of construction.
Solo tells me she just feels for all the business owners who lost everything.
“It’s just so sad because it’s like where is everyone going to go," said Solo.
Those who I spoke with tell me they hope these business owners are able to get back up on their feet to rebuild and eventually reopen.
As for victims, while the fire was actively burning, the fire department determined that conditions were unsurvivable and did not risk the lives of any firefighters. So far, all occupants have been accounted for, and the fire department has not received any reports of missing persons.
A piece of Las Vegas history gone
Parts of the University Gardens shopping strip mall were destroyed by fire last week, taking with it a piece of Las Vegas history that featured unique architectural elements.
The shopping complex wasn't your average mall, featuring custom woodwork throughout the interior that gave it a distinctive character.
WATCH: Tricia Kean talks to Las Vegas native about piece of history lost in fire
Holly Rae Vaughn, a Las Vegas native and owner of "Battle Born Pins," shared remarkable photos of the building's architecture on social media over the weekend.
"I can't even imagine the cost of trying to replace a building like that today with the amount of custom woodwork that was put into that building. All of the ceilings were covered with custom woodwork, and you know, the cost of wood today, it just really would not be realistic to replace. So to me it really feels like losing a gem," Vaughn said.
When asked about her emotional connection to the building, Vaughn expressed deep sadness.
"I'm completely heartbroken over it. I can't even look at the photos of it burnt down right now. I'm kind of taking a moment to step back because honestly, every time we lose a building like this in Vegas, it hurts every single time for me personally," Vaughn said.
Vaughn's business, Battle Born Pins, focuses on creating Las Vegas memorabilia that preserves the city's vintage flair. Her passion for documenting special places in Las Vegas stems from watching her hometown continuously reinvent itself.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.