In Brief

FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION

Moulin Rouge blaze caused by humans

The fire that tore through a portion of the historic Moulin Rouge in May was human-caused, Las Vegas Fire Department investigators have determined.

But officials still don't know how the blaze started, spokesman Jace Radke said. They have not been able to rule out arson or cooking by vagrants. The investigation is ongoing.

The May 6 fire destroyed a portion of two-story apartments at the historic site, on Bonanza Road near Martin L. King Boulevard, which was the first racially integrated hotel-casino in Las Vegas.

The blaze forced property owner Olympic Coast Investment to raze the building.

The Seattle-based company took ownership of the property the day before the fire from the bankrupt Moulin Rouge Properties. Olympic Coast was the senior lien holder for Moulin Rouge Properties.

Olympic Coast President John Hossman declined to comment Wednesday on the investigators' findings. He said the property is still for sale and several bidders are interested in it.

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz.

Virus killing carp may be petering out

Fewer dead carp are washing ashore at Lake Mohave in Arizona.

It has been a month since the fish began dying off because of a virus, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area spokesman Andrew Munoz said the worst might be over.

Arizona Game and Fish spokesman Zen Mocarski said the virus needed to run its course. He added that carp also are dying in Lake Havasu, but nowhere near the scope of Lake Mohave.

Mocarski said he doubts the virus will wipe out the species in Lake Mohave because carp can repopulate quickly.

Munoz said sick fish "look discolored and have white spots."