The Desert Inn (Remember that one)??
Well, I posted this in here because after all, it is from previous trips. Prior to 2000! When Vegas was still Vegas in the 80's and the 90's! A couple of the things mounted in my frame are from before my time, like the postcard (upside down) and the old Wilbur Clark ash tray, etc.
But it is all from the old D.I. before Steve Wynn got his hands on it and imploded it. It was a great place to play. I wrote a memory on the DI under Table Games somewhere about my most memorable baccarat shoe.
the Desert Inn. I stayed mostly DT. Still do.
Vegas in the 70's was, well, slower. Different.
People wore nicer clothes in the casinos and
were better behaved.
Quote: Baccaratfrom79I started going to Vegas in the very late 70's, maybe 79. I worked in Southern Cali for a movie/tv studio and once in awhile on weekends we would go. I remember a couple of days before Thanksgiving of 1980, I was barely 21. We were at the original MGM which was further north up the strip @ what is now Bally's property. I was rescued from the roof by an army helicopter I think, early in the morning when the place was engulfed in flames and smoke. Yeah Vegas was a different story then and all the way up to the mid 90's or so. Then the play-dough crowd and the hip-hopsters came in the adult playground. Found memories of many things in the desert.
This is a rare opportunity to hear a first hand account from one of the survivors. This definitely deserves it's own thread and I think it would become one of the top threads in no time. Please share with us, even if you have to post in segments.
Where were you when the fire broke out? How many people were on the roof? How long did you wait for the helicopter. Were you taken to the hospital? Do you remember the celebrities performing that week?
Most of the helicopters were police but you're right, I saw at least one Huey in the films so the Army was there. Were they special forces?
Quote: Baccaratfrom79We were kids. I believe I was just 21. We were sleeping in the room, just getting up. Tried staying in the room but busted out the windows. I remember being lifted to an Army helicopter after several hours on the roof. A bunch of us were on the 20th floor I think. Went to the hospital with smoke inhalation and released later that night.
Did the flames reach the 20th floor?
Quote: 1BBDid the flames reach the 20th floor?
Smoke, couldn't see anything, a couple of us wanted to stay in the room but the other led us down to the stairwell and up to the roof. Solid smoke is all I remember until the roof. I believe the flames were only on the ground floor and maybe a 2nd or 3rd?? Me and 3 others were taken to Sunrise Hospital and later that night we met an MGM rep who arranged for us to stay on the strip and gave us vouchers for food until we left. We stayed at the Hacienda for a couple of days until our 4th guy in our party was released from the hospital. Actually we were back in Vegas staying at the Sands when another fire broke out a couple of months later The LV Hilton. Glad we didn't stay there on that trip.
I believe the LV Hilton fire was started by an employee. I think he got life in prison.
Yes x 8:Quote: GreasyjohnI believe the LV Hilton fire was started by an employee. I think he got life in prison.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/crime-courts/killer-says-deadly-hilton-blaze-1981-wasnt-meant-hurt-anybody
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/crime-courts/killer-says-deadly-hilton-blaze-1981-wasnt-meant-hurt-anybody
Quote: Baccaratfrom79Smoke, couldn't see anything, a couple of us wanted to stay in the room but the other led us down to the stairwell and up to the roof. Solid smoke is all I remember until the roof. I believe the flames were only on the ground floor and maybe a 2nd or 3rd?? Me and 3 others were taken to Sunrise Hospital and later that night we met an MGM rep who arranged for us to stay on the strip and gave us vouchers for food until we left. We stayed at the Hacienda for a couple of days until our 4th guy in our party was released from the hospital. Actually we were back in Vegas staying at the Sands when another fire broke out a couple of months later The LV Hilton. Glad we didn't stay there on that trip.
Tell us more. I remember where I was when Kennedy was shot, who told me, who I was with, what I was doing, what I had for lunch. Being rescued by a helicopter from a burning building and surviving a fire that made world headlines must be burned into your memory. Walk us through it from the beginning. My buddies and I decided to go to Vegas......
Quote: 1BBTell us more. I remember where I was when Kennedy was shot, who told me, who I was with, what I was doing, what I had for lunch. Being rescued by a helicopter from a burning building and surviving a fire that made world headlines must be burned into your memory. Walk us through it from the beginning. My buddies and I decided to go to Vegas......
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