Las Vegas fire: top floors burn at Monte Carlo

By Alfred Branch, Jr.

Several top floors of the 12-year-old Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas were on fire this afternoon, and at least three fire departments have been deployed to the scene. The fire was reported at about 11am local time, and while no injuries were reported, hundreds of guests have been evacuated, including at the nearby Bellagio and New York-New York hotel/casinos. Live video can be seen here.

According to FoxNews.com, early reports had as many a four Monte Carlo employees trapped by the blaze, which was located in the center of the upper floors and spreading, but those reports were not confirmed by fire officials. Reports said that firefighters contained the blaze in under two hours, and that damage was mostly to the hotel's exterior. Rooms were largely spared from any serious problems.

Thick, black smoke was visible throughout the Strip as thousands lined the nearby streets to watch the spectacle. The hotel has more than 3,000 rooms and is the home of the Monte Carlo Brew Pub. Its theater hosts magician Lance Burton, who performs multiple shows Tuesday through Saturday nights.

In 1980, 84 people died in a fire at the MGM Grand Hotel, now called Ballys, in what was one of the worst hotel fires in U.S. history.