Fire forces evacuation of hundreds

LAS VEGAS - Fire officials are investigating the cause of a laundry cart fire on the sixth floor of the San Remo hotel-casino that forced hundreds of people from the off-Strip property.

The small fire broke out about 7:50 p.m. Thursday, triggering the hotel's built-in sprinkler system, said Clark County Fire Department spokesman Steve La-Sky.

The blaze was started in the hotel's housekeeping area, he said.

When firefighters arrived at the hotel - across the street from the MGM Grand - they continued using the hotel sprinkler system to control the small fire and smoke, La Sky said.

The hotel's fifth- and sixth-floor hallways were flooded and damage was estimated at $1,500, La-Sky said.

Hotel guests who were evacuated from both floors were allowed to return to their rooms about an hour after the fire started.