7 people displaced in 2 east Las Vegas house fires

Seven people were displaced when neighboring houses caught fire in the east Las Vegas Valley late Sunday.

Las Vegas and Clark County firefighters responded to the 2000 block of Bonita Avenue, near South Eastern and East St. Louis avenues, about 10:15 p.m. after fire dispatchers received several calls that a house was on fire, according to a Las Vegas Fire Department news release.

When firefighters arrived, a covered patio on the side of a one-story wood frame and vinyl house was on fire. Firefighters had the fire under control in less than 10 minutes.

The fire also extended to the outside wall of the house next door, next to the patio. Firefighters was able to put out that fire within a few minutes.

One of the residents and a neighbor tried fighting the fire with a garden hose prior to firefighters’ arrival. Both suffered smoke inhalation. They were treated at the scene and refused to be transported to the hospital.

Investigators determined that a homemade barbecue on the patio is where the fire most likely started. The resident said the barbecue was used earlier.

Damage is estimated at $50,000 between the two properties.

The American Red Cross was assisting six adults and one teen who were displaced by the fire.