North Las Vegas Police no longer believe a vacant home was rigged to harm firefighters responding to a suspected arson fire, officials said Tuesday.
The North Las Vegas Fire Department responded at 4:07 p.m. Saturday to the blaze at a vacant, two-story home in the 3400 block of Strawberry Roan Road.
Firefighters found the second story fully engulfed in flames and heavy smoke coming from the home, officials said. They discovered the fire originating from the top of the staircase and determined it was arson, Sgt. Timothy Bedwell said.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries after falling from near the top of the 20-foot staircase because the banister had been removed, Bedwell said.
Investigators also found graffiti inside the home with words such as "kill," he said.
That led investigators initially to believe the home was rigged to injure responding firefighters, Bedwell said.
Further investigation, however, revealed that people -- likely teenagers -- had been going into the house to throw parties, most recently on Halloween, Bedwell said.
Police concluded the damage could have stemmed from the gatherings, not necessarily a malicious act by arsonists, Bedwell said.
The fire department is continuing the investigation, he said. No suspects have been identified.
The blaze caused about $100,000 damage.
Police said the situation highlights the need for neighbors to report activity in vacant homes.
"Don't be complacent," Bedwell said. "You should call if you see people partying in a vacant home."
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
