Person found stabbed at scene of downtown Las Vegas house fire
A person was found stabbed Monday afternoon at a vacant house where fire crews initially responded to a blaze, Metro officials said.
When Las Vegas fire crews pulled up to the blaze about 3:30 p.m. at the 1900 block of East Oakey Boulevard, near the intersection of Oakey and Eastern Avenue, they found someone with stab wounds, Metro spokesman Larry Hadfield said.
“He yelled out he needed help,” Las Vegas Fire and Rescue spokesman Tim Szymanski said.
The man was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he was in surgery Monday evening, Metro Lt. Jeff Goodwin said.
Szymanski said no one was living at the house, but it was frequented by the homeless. He described it as a “storage facility” filled with cans and other now-scorched items.
After two searches, Szymanski said crews determined one else was left inside the house or injured during the blaze.
The fire started in a large back room and engulfed the house’s interior. It was out in 10 minutes, he said.
Neighbors called in the fire after seeing smoke. They also saw the man who had been stabbed and tried to help him as fire crews were arriving on the scene, Goodwin said.
Investigators do not know what caused the fire yet.
“We don’t know what went on in there,” Szymanski said. “It appears this was a crime.”
He added fire and Metro are conducting a joint investigation. Metro had no word on suspect information as of 6:30 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290. Find her on Twitter: @rachelacrosby
