Fire destroys businesses near UNLV, including USPS location

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A fire broke out Friday morning near the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging at least eight businesses, officials said.

Witnesses on the ground reported that the smoke appeared to be emanating from an area near the campus of UNLV. The building involved was a two-story commercial structure.

Thomas Touchstone, senior deputy fire chief, said investigators were still looking into the origin and cause of the fire, but the blaze had affected at least eight businesses, which he said were destroyed. Fire officials later confirmed that several of those locations were vacant, adding that three of the destroyed offices were active businesses.

The first reports of the fire came just after 8 a.m. Firefighters arrived within a few minutes and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the roof. Fire officials quickly called a third alarm and focused the battle on the north and south wings of the building. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials assisted with crowd and traffic control, as well as the evacuation of surrounding buildings.

A fire broke out Friday morning near the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging at least eight businesses, officials said.

A fire broke out Friday morning near the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging at least eight businesses, officials said.

A fire broke out Friday morning near the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging at least eight businesses, officials said.

A fire broke out Friday morning near the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging at least eight businesses, officials said.

Viewer video shows smoke from fire near UNLV at Wigwam and Stephanie

Smoke seen from Tropicana and Maryland after fire broke out near UNLV.

A fire broke out Friday morning near the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging at least eight businesses, officials said.

A fire broke out Friday morning near the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging at least eight businesses, officials said.

A fire broke out Friday morning near the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), destroying a two-story commercial building and damaging at least eight businesses, officials said.

Touchstone detailed multiple collapses that occurred during the blaze, adding that parts of the roof came off during the incident. He said the remaining structure appeared to be unstable. Most of the businesses in the area were closed at the time of the fire.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, Touchstone said, adding that no sprinkler system was installed in the building. He noted that the building was believed to have been built before fire suppression equipment was mandated.

A U.S. Postal Service (USPS) location was among the businesses destroyed by the fire. The location’s customers are now dealing with the fallout of the blaze and its impact on their day-to-day lives.

USPS officials confirmed that any letters or parcels customers had not picked up before the fire started on Friday morning were destroyed. Those who frequent the post office were left wondering if their mail would ever arrive.

“I had recently ordered some stuff and was treating myself to a certain shirt,” said Francesca Price, who frequented that post office. “I hope my Audi shirt didn’t go up in flames.”

Price lamented the destruction of the post office, emphasizing the convenience of having the location within walking distance.

“I hope it gets rebuilt and fixed,” she said. “I am sad to know that the post office is gone.”

USPS confirmed there were 522 PO boxes at the location. Three employees worked there officials say they are safe and will continue working at the Paradise Valley Post Office until further notice.

USPS says home delivery in the area was not affected by the fire.

Customers of the former “University Las Vegas” post office are being redirected to the Paradise Valley post office to pick up their mail. USPS officials said those expecting mail or packages at the location should contact the USPS call center at 1-800-275-8777 for further assistance. If a package was insured, a claim can be filed online here.

Just after 9 a.m., UNLV officials said the fire had been contained by Clark County firefighters. They reiterated that there was no threat to the UNLV campus. Just before noon, officials announced that all lanes on Maryland Parkway at University Road had been reopened.