MGM Grand Hotel and Casino Fire: Key Points and Summary

Overview

• Date of Incident: November 21, 1980
• Location: MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Casualties: 85 guests died, most from smoke inhalation

Initial Incident

• Origin of Fire: First floor in a restaurant called The Deli
• Cause: Faulty refrigerator
• Time of Discovery: Around 7:10am by maintenance worker Tim Connor
• Response: Firefighters quickly attended and contained the fire

Building and Design Flaws

• Structure: 26 floors, 2,100 rooms, multiple facilities like a casino, bars, and restaurants
• Design Flaw: Smoke circulated to upper floors despite the fire being contained to the first floor
• Emergency Systems:
  • Fire alarm system disabled by the fire
  • Public address system and in-room telephones were not usable due to smoke
  • Interior stairwells designed to limit access, contributing to smoke spread

Evacuation Challenges

• Guests' Response:
  • Some evacuated through smoke-filled corridors or using improvised means like bed sheets
  • Helicopter rescues attempted but contributed to smoke issues
  • Some guests remained unaware or trapped, leading to fatalities
• Firefighting Efforts: Fire was extinguished within hours, but extensive smoke damage

Aftermath and Investigation

• Casualties: 75 out of 85 deaths were due to smoke inhalation
• Injuries: Approximately 650 injured
• Storage of Bodies: Refrigerated trucks used due to lack of morgue space
• Regulatory Failures:
  • Lack of sprinklers in key areas
  • Faulty air conditioning seals
  • Outdated alarm system
• Legal Impact: Led to changes in fire safety regulations, requiring even older buildings to meet modern standards

Longer-term Impact

• Building Reconstruction: MGM Grand was rebuilt with improved safety features
• Regulatory Change: Fire safety codes updated, particularly inspired by subsequent Hilton Hotel fire
• Current Status: MGM Grand operates today with a reputation for being one of the safest hotels

This summary provides an overview of the critical aspects of the MGM Grand Hotel fire, focusing on the cause, response, and impact on fire safety regulations.