Las Vegas Fire Near UNLV Destroys Eight Businesses

A massive fire erupted early Friday morning near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), leveling a two-story commercial building and leaving at least eight businesses in ruins, including a United States Postal Service (USPS) location, according to officials.

The blaze broke out just after 8 a.m. in a building close to the UNLV campus. Witnesses described heavy smoke billowing from the structure as firefighters rushed to the scene. Responders quickly called a third alarm, focusing efforts on containing flames in both wings of the building.

Crews from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department assisted with evacuations and managed crowd and traffic control in the surrounding area.

Senior Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Touchstone reported multiple structural collapses during the incident, noting that significant portions of the roof gave way, leaving the remainder of the building unstable. Fortunately, most businesses were closed when the fire started, and no injuries have been reported.

Among the hardest hit was a USPS branch, which was completely destroyed. Postal officials have announced that mail services will be relocated to the Paradise Valley Post Office until further notice, and any mail not retrieved before the fire has been lost. The involvement of federal authorities is expected as part of the investigation.

As of 9 a.m., Clark County firefighters had contained the fire. UNLV officials emphasized that there was no threat to campus facilities, though Maryland Parkway was closed between Harmon Avenue and University Road, with commuters urged to avoid the area while cleanup and investigation continue.

The exact cause of the Las Vegas fire is still under investigation.