Las Vegas fire investigators have concluded the investigation into the fire that destroyed a downtown upholstery shop last week. Although the exact cause of the fire could not be determined, fire investigators believe the fire was accidental in nature.

Firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire at Alex Rivas Upholstery Shop on South Main Street on July 14 at 2:35 p.m. When firefighters arrived, the shop was fully involved. Firefighters worked quickly to keep the fire from spreading to adjoining stores on the block and to bring the fire under control.

The fire gutted the upholstery shop. Two other businesses had minor smoke damage. Damage was estimated at $200,000.

Fire investigators determined the fire started outside against the back of the store in a large pile of material that included furniture and other combustible items. Three workers inside the store were alerted to the fire by people from shops across the street. Employees inside the upholstery shop opened a back door and tried to put the fire out using a garden hose. As the fire grew larger, they stopped their attempts at putting the fire out to rescue three dogs inside the store. Brisk winds that afternoon fanned the flames through the open back door into the shop, where there was an abundant supply of flammable material commonly used in upholstery shops. Once inside the store, the fire grew quickly out of control.

The exact source of ignition could not be determined by fire investigators. Careless smoking could not be ruled out. The area behind the store was secured by a wrought iron fence; access to the rear yard was limited because gates on the fence were locked. 

Fire investigators determined there is no connection between the upholstery shop fire and the previous incidents on Main Street on July 11. Those incidents remain under investigation.