Fire leaves 70 displaced; cause still unknown

Las Vegas fire officials are still investigating the fire at an apartment complex near Eastern Avenue and U.S. Highway 95 that displaced 70 residents early Sunday morning.

The blaze occurred just before 7 a.m. at the Encantada Apartments at 401 N. 28th Street and left a man and woman hospitalized after they jumped from a second floor balcony, according to Tim Szymanski, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman.

Investigators interviewed the pair at the hospital, who said they saw the fire near their front door after an alarm went off in their apartment. They jumped from the balcony to escape.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Szymanski said the damage was first estimated at $300,000, but fire officials increased it to $350,000 after a physical inspection. The building was deemed unsafe by investigators, and some units were damaged beyond repair.

Residents occupied 22 of the 24 units. They were not required by the apartment complex to have renters insurance, according to Szymanski.

The American Red Cross is assisting the residents.

Contact reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.