30 Years Ago Today, MGM Grand Hotel Fire Kills 85 People
Posted Saturday, November 21, 2020 6:45 P.M.
On November 21, 1980 a real life nightmare struck the MGM Grand Hotel, as a giant fire sweep
through killing 85 people and injured hundreds of others. The blaze was the third deadliest hotel
fire in modern history in the United States and led to various safety reforms, including fire
sprinklers and other safety measures that you see today.
The MGM Grand Hotel was built in 1973 and was not equipped with any fire safety measures.
According to the investigation report, the fire started in the restaurant "Deli" which was located
on the casino level floor. The restaurant had no sprinkler system and smoke detectors.
Heavy toxic smoke and carbon monoxide traveled up the hotel’s floors through elevator shafts, air
conditioning ducts and stairwells. The air conditioning units on the roof, like much of the hotel,
were not properly equipped with smoke detectors. Instead, the units allowed for the smoke and gas to
spread throughout the building easily. Carbon monoxide levels at the scene were extremely high.
Of the 85 who died, 75 of those deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide. One
jumped from the 17th floor to their death, four died from only smoke inhalation, three from a
combination of burns and smoke inhalation.
Today, the old MGM Grand Hotel still stands and is now called Bally's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
