Apartment fire displaces 21 people; damage estimated at $250,000

A morning fire at an apartment complex near downtown Las Vegas caused $250,000 in damage and displaced 21 people.

Firefighters were called to the Rancho Verde Apartments, at 98 S. Martin L. King Blvd., near U.S. Highway 95, about 9:30 a.m. and extinguished the fire in about 30 minutes, according to Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski.

One of the occupants told fire investigators that she heard a "pop" when she turned on the lights in her bathroom, and flames started coming out of the light fixture.

Four units suffered heavy damage from the blaze. There were no injuries, according to the Fire Department. The displaced residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.