California man charged in Golden Nugget fire
A 33-year-old California man was charged with arson and one count of attempted murder in the setting of a fire at the Golden Nugget in March, Las Vegas Fire Department officials said Monday.
Jerod Pressnell is in custody at University Medical Center as he recovers from injuries he suffered during the March 15 fire. Pressnell was rushed to UMC in critical condition after suffering from smoke inhalation in a fire on the 22nd floor of the downtown resort. Pressnell is from California but has been homeless, according to the fire officials.
The blaze was reported at 8:26 a.m. in an unfinished guest room that was used for storing linens and bedding while the floor was being refurbished, said Tim Szymanski, spokesman for the Las Vegas Fire Department.
When firefighters got to the room, the hotel sprinkler system had extinguished the fire, but the room was filled with black smoke.
Firefighters crawled along the floor to check for victims and heard a man moaning. They discovered Pressnell limp in the far corner of the room and not responding to commands.
Investigators determined the man was a registered guest at the hotel but do not know why he was in the room.
No other guests were endangered by the fire as floors 22 through 24 were under renovation and vacant. Guests staying on other floors were allowed to return to their rooms about an hour after the fire.
The blaze caused $1,000 worth of damage.
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
