Fire truck, anyone? Odd items fill government surplus auction in Las Vegas

The firetruck parked across from the dog park had, for months, just been the continuation of a boyhood fantasy. Then the words that could change it all appeared in big black type, on a bright yellow sign: PUBLIC AUCTION.

Retired machinist Patrick Feeley, 61, and his puppy, shepherd-mix Little Girl, wandered over Wednesday to have a look.

Wednesday was the first of three preview days for Saturday's government surplus auction, where hundreds of people are expected to make off with wrecked Crown Victorias, tarnished traffic signals, printers galore and other finds.

Feeley said he had never been to an auction before and isn't even quite sure how to bid.

"Always wanted a firetruck ever since I was a little kid. All little boys want to be firemen or cops," he said. "If I got this I would not know what to do with it — but if I got it I'd be just as happy as that boy who wanted to be a fireman."

The firetruck in question isn't what you typically would find in a firehouse. The restaurant chain Buffalo Wild Wings painted it for the city of North Las Vegas. It's got orange flames on its side and sports the Buffalo Wild Wings logo.

Bidders are advised to preregister. Registration must be done on site, in person. Registration will be allowed the day of the auction, but bidders are warned that the event starts promptly at 8 a.m. Vehicles also will be auctioned online. Online bidding requires advance registration and can be done at http://www.tntauction.com.

Also on sale: lost items from McCarran International Airport. Anyone hoping to procure a wayward watch or one of the many Kindles tourists have misplaced will need to show up in person. Abandoned airport finds will go on display Friday.

The auction will be held on a dirt lot at 4320 Stephanie St., off East Flamingo Road near Dog Fancier's Park.

Up for grabs are a deep fryer, shiny telephone booths — one complete with a rain-damaged phonebook — and 16 dental chairs from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"As they say: One man's junk is another man's treasure. That pretty much amplifies down here every time we hold an auction," said David Johnson, Clark County's manager of automotive services, who has been overseeing the auctions since 2005. He expects to sell a vehicle every 60 seconds. Last year's three auctions brought in $4.9 million, with proceeds going back to the government agencies participating.

"I always say when it comes to vehicles, do your homework," said Mike Wood, an appraiser for TNT Auction, which contracts with Clark County to put on the auction. "Get information before you buy. Ask questions. We are trying to help everybody out. It can be overwhelming on sale day."

Wood, who has been with TNT auction for 13 years, said he has seen it all. People have gone crazy for the contraptions used to lower caskets into the ground. They've even bought urinals — many of them.

"We've sold everything," he said. "You name it, we've sold it."

On Saturday, everything will sell, Johnson said.

"I've even seen kitchen sinks here, and that's no kidding," he said. "Even the kitchen sink. We've literally had the kitchen sink here."

— Contact Bethany Barnes at bbarnes@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861. Find her on Twitter: @betsbarnes