Firefighters responding to Sunday’s massive blaze at downtown’s Opportunity Village thrift store could not rely on the building’s sprinkler system for assistance.
There wasn’t one. Nor were there smoke alarms inside the 58-year-old structure, officials said.
Fire crews returned to the scene Monday morning, closing off portions of Main Street and First Street as they sifted through debris.
The three-alarm blaze gutted what has long-been a popular shopping destination for downtown residents, who are drawn to the store not only for its affordable second-hand clothing but also the chance one might find a valued antique among its inventory.
Video: Fire Tears Through Opportunity Village Thrift Store
It also served as an employment training facility and the store put dozens of people with intellectual disabilities to work on a daily basis.
Lost in the fire were a palette of donations set aside for the annual Magical Forest attraction and a shipment of new furniture from the World Market Center, according to the organization's executive director Ed Guthrie.
"Our management team is now working to place the thrift store's 40 clients and staff at our three campuses around the Las Vegas valley," Guthrie said. "We know that the community will be right beside Opportunity Village as we regroup and rebuild."
Fire officials added that most of those items can be salvaged, although a large chunk of the building was destroyed and the roof partially collapsed.
No one was inside the store when the fire started at around 6 p.m. and only one person was injured, a firefighter who was treated for heat exhaustion.
The fire was one of three incidents that kept first responders busy in the downtown area Sunday. Earlier in the day, two people were injured when an NV Energy substation exploded on Main Street near Commerce Avenue.
A gas leak was also reported at the intersection of Coolidge Avenue and First Street. Southwest Gas repair crews continued work at the scene Monday and were expected to remain there throughout the day.
Authorities said there is no indication the incidents are connected, but all three remain under investigation.
