Vacant Building Catches Fire Near Las Vegas Strip, Smoke Seen Near the Strat Casino

Posted on: June 12, 2024, 06:06h. 

Last updated on: June 13, 2024, 10:08h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

The former M&M Soul Food Café was engulfed by flames on Wednesday sending plumes of smoke billowing around the north end of the Las Vegas Strip.

M&M Soul Food Café
The shuttered M&M Soul Food Café catches on fire, pictured above. The cause of the Las Vegas blaze was unknown. (Image: KVVU)

Las Vegas firefighters initially were notified at 12:51 p.m. that heavy smoke was seen coming from the roof of the vacant building.

Firefighters rushed to the structure within four minutes of receiving the call. By 1:37 p.m., the fire was extinguished by multiple responding units from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.

As crews battled the fire, they also prevented it from spreading to neighboring buildings.

Hot Conditions

The heavy smoke made it difficult for firefighters to see as they fought the blaze. By 3 p.m., the outside temperature reached 107 degrees. Given their heavy and bulky uniforms, firefighters were hot as they battled the smoke and fire.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers temporarily stopped traffic on a portion of South Las Vegas Boulevard and Cleveland Avenue so firefighters could douse the fire, according to Las Vegas TV station KVVU.

The address of the former eatery is 2211 South Las Vegas Boulevard just south of the Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower.

The building has been empty since the restaurant closed and was condemned after the restaurant closed, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

No injuries were reported. Investigators continued to search for the cause of the blaze as of late Wednesday.

Fire investigators have yet to reveal where the fire originated. It was unclear if it was suspicious in origin.

Prior Health Violations

In September 2019, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) shut down M&M Soul Food Café after logging several violations at the property, according to Vegas Eater.

The alleged violations included: improper hand washing, dirty kitchenware, exposed insulation in the freezer, and bags filled with cut collard greens stored at unsafe temperatures. In addition, an employee who was wearing gloves touched a trash can and then touched bread with the soiled gloves, the report said.

Additional violations included suspected mold found in an ice machine, unspecified insects seen in bulk flour bags, and a grade card not properly posted at the eatery, according to the report.

On July 19, 2019, the SNHD ordered the restaurant closed due to similar violations, the report added.