On November 21, 1980, a fire broke out at the MGM Grand Hotel (now known as Bally's Las Vegas) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fire, which originated in a restaurant called the Deli, quickly spread to the hotel's casino and guest rooms, resulting in the deaths of 85 people and more than 650 injuries.
Investigations into the cause of the fire revealed that it was caused by faulty wiring in the Deli's exhaust system. The wiring had been poorly installed and was not properly maintained, leading to a short circuit that ignited a fire. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of highly flammable materials in the Deli, including paper, cardboard, and plastic.
The MGM Grand Hotel was not equipped with sprinklers, which could have contained the fire and prevented it from spreading. Additionally, the hotel's fire alarm system had been turned off at the time of the fire, meaning that many guests were not immediately aware of the danger.
The response to the fire was hampered by a lack of coordination between the hotel's management and emergency services. Many guests who tried to evacuate the hotel found that the exits were blocked or locked, forcing them to jump from windows to escape the flames.
The MGM Grand Hotel fire was one of the worst hotel fires in U.S. history and had a significant impact on fire safety regulations in the country. As a result of the fire, the National Fire Protection Association introduced new guidelines for sprinkler systems and fire alarms in hotels. The tragedy also highlighted the importance of maintaining and inspecting electrical systems to prevent fires from occurring.
In the wake of the fire, the MGM Grand Hotel underwent extensive renovations and was rebranded as Bally's Las Vegas. Today, the hotel has improved fire safety measures in place to ensure the safety of its guests. The tragedy of the MGM Grand Hotel fire serves as a reminder of the importance of proper fire safety measures in hotels and other large buildings.
