Clark County fire spokesman Scott Allison said several buildings were burning as winds pushed flames from one roof to the next. He said firefighters were evacuating buildings, and he had no immediate word of any injuries.
"We believe everybody's been evacuated safely," Allison said.
The blaze was reported just after 6:15 a.m. at the brick and stucco apartment complex off Desert Inn Road and Maryland Parkway, less than two miles east of the Las Vegas Strip. The cause was still unclear.
Dramatic aerial video from television news stations showed flames spreading through the densely built block of two- and three-story apartments.
The National Weather Service reported winds of 28 miles per hour, with gusts up to 40 mph.
"The wind this morning is not helping us at all," Allison said. "This is a large complex. The buildings are close together. We're kicking in doors if we have to make sure everybody is out."
