IN BRIEF

MONTE CARLO RESTAURANT

Police investigate popping sound on Strip

What restaurant patrons described Saturday night as a popping sound, combined with a broken window at Diablo's Cantina in the Monte Carlo on the Strip, had police investigating possible gun shots fired into the nightspot from Las Vegas Boulevard.

Las Vegas police Lt. Steve Herpolsheimer said no bullets or shell casings had been found, nor did any witness see someone fire a weapon at Diablo's Cantina in the 3700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard around 8:21 p.m.

"It could have been something caused by construction," Herpolsheimer said. "Generally, you'd think someone would have come forward saying they saw someone waving a weapon."

A hostess at the restaurant told the Review-Journal that restaurant employees believe nearby construction, combined with loud dance music at the night spot, caused a huge window to crack and break.

EXPLOSION

Blast at foundry sends fireball over Tacoma

An explosion heard miles away sent a ball of fire over a historic foundry in Tacoma, Wash., Saturday, shutting down a major highway, cutting power to the city's industrial area and critically injuring a truck driver.

Four people were taken to a hospital -- the driver of a propane truck and three employees of the Atlas Foundry -- after two propane tanks exploded around 3 p.m., The News Tribune of Tacoma reported.

Firefighters had the blaze under control by Saturday evening, Deputy Fire Marshal Kevin O'Donnal said.