Crews battle huge fire in North Las Vegas; 1 person injured
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A massive fire in North Las Vegas on Tuesday morning raged at a site where apartments are under construction. The black smoke could be seen from around the valley.
The fire was reported just before 7 a.m. at 6500 N. Fifth Street, near Centennial Parkway. When North Las Vegas Fire crews arrived at the scene, they found heavy smoke and flames in multiple three-story apartment buildings under construction, according to a North Las Vegas news release.
Firefighters got to the area just as neighbors like Tiffany Oleary were starting their day.
“I saw the smoke, called my husband, my son, and I was like, ‘I think the community is on fire,’” she said.
Firefighters began battling the blaze, which was fueled by the dry weather and wind. The North Las Vegas Fire Department initiated a second alarm for Clark County and the Las Vegas fire departments to assist with containing and keeping the fire from spreading.
The fire at 6500 N. Fifth Street destroyed a building under construction. (Credit: Jennifer Rendon)
The massive fire broke out at a construction site in North Las Vegas on Aug. 5, 2025. (KLAS)
The massive fire broke out at a construction site in North Las Vegas on Aug. 5, 2025. (KLAS)
Photo of North Las Vegas fire at construction site on Aug. 5, 2025. (Credit: Kristin Schaffner)
The fire at 6500 N. Fifth Street destroyed a building under construction. (Credit: Jennifer Rendon)
The fire at 6500 N. Fifth Street destroyed a building under construction. (Credit: Jennifer Rendon)
The massive fire broke out at a construction site in North Las Vegas on Aug. 5, 2025. (KLAS)
The massive fire broke out at a construction site in North Las Vegas on Aug. 5, 2025. (KLAS)
The fire at 6500 N. Fifth Street destroyed a building under construction. (Credit: Jennifer Rendon)
The massive fire broke out at a construction site in North Las Vegas on Aug. 5, 2025. (KLAS)
The massive fire broke out at a construction site in North Las Vegas on Aug. 5, 2025. (KLAS)
A construction worker jumped from one of the building’s upper levels was injured during the fire. He was transported to University Medical Center with potentially life-threatening injuries. A North Las Vegas firefighter was transported to Centennial Hills Hospital for heat-related illness and has been released, according to Kathleen Richards, North Las Vegas communications manager.
8 News Now drone video captured the aftermath of the destructive fire and shows what appears to be three charred buildings.
City records show an inspection of the site was scheduled for yesterday, Aug. 4, but Richards confirmed to 8 News Now that the inspection was rescheduled for today.
The inspection was routine for new construction, for insulation, drywall, and sheer walls on a few buildings, Richards said.
Northbound 5th Avenue was closed to traffic at Centennial Parkway. Crews are evaluating damage to the neighboring buildings due to the intense heat, the news release said.
Another neighbor, Joseph Brooks, was thankful that the apartment building had no residents yet.
“Nobody lived there yet, so I didn’t think anybody got hurt,” Brooks said. “I’m sorry about the worker getting hurt, but it was an empty apartment. They were ready to rent there. I thought they were, any minute, getting ready to start renting it to people.”
Any homeowners who find heat-related damage to their property are advised to call the North Las Vegas Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Division at (702) 633-1102 in the next week to assist with documentation for insurance claims.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Firefighters will remain on the site to check for hot spots.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
