Las Vegas Vacant Building Catches Fire, Smoke Near The Strat

Posted on: June 12, 2024, 06:06h. 

Last updated on: June 12, 2024, 06:06h.

The former M&M Soul Food Café was engulfed by flames on Wednesday. Plumes of smoke billowed around the north end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Las Vegas firefighters initially were notified at 12:51 p.m. that heavy smoke was seen coming from the roof of the vacant building.

Firefighters rushed to the structure. Initial units reached the enflamed property within four minutes. By 1:37 p.m., the fire was extinguished by multiple responding units from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.

As crews battled the fire, they also prevented it from spreading to neighboring buildings.

Hot Conditions

It was a challenge. The heavy smoke made it harder for firefighters to see as they fought the blaze. By 3 p.m., the outside temperature reached 107 degrees. Given their heavy and bulky uniforms, firefighters were hot as they battled the smoke and fire.

In addition, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers temporarily stopped traffic on a portion of South Las Vegas Boulevard and Cleveland Avenue so firefighters could douse the fire, according to Las Vegas TV station KVVU.

Traffic was forced to detour to nearby streets.

The address of the former eatery is 2211 South Las Vegas Boulevard. The building is south of the Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower.

The building which caught fire has been empty since the restaurant closed. So, it appears no one was supposed to be in the structure. The building apparently had been condemned after the restaurant closed, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

No injuries were reported. Investigators continued to search for the cause of the blaze as of late Wednesday.

Fire investigators have yet to reveal where the fire originated. It was unclear if it was suspicious in origin.

Prior Health Violations

During September 2019, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) shut down M&M Soul Food Café. It had been shut down some months earlier, too.

Health investigators found several violations there, according to Vegas Eater.

The alleged violations included: improper hand washing, dirty kitchenware, exposed insulation in the freezer, and bags filled with cut collard greens stored at unsafe temperatures. In addition, an employee who was wearing gloves touched a trash can then touched bread with soiled gloves, the report said.

Also, suspected mold was found in an ice machine, unspecified insects were seen in bulk flour, and a grade card was not properly posted at the eatery, according to the report.

On July 19, 2019, the SNHD ordered the restaurant closed due to similar violations, the report added.