STATELINE, Nev. (Mynews4.com & KRNV) - Cold weather is not unusual in South Lake Tahoe but sub-zero temperatures for multiple days is, and this frigid weather is causing big problems for major casinos.
"Both domestic lines and fire lines froze," said Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshal Eric Guevin. Guevin says they have been busy dealing with frozen pipes at Horizon, Harrah's, Harvey's and MontBleu Casino and Spa. Even though these are big, heated buildings after three days of record breaking lows the pipes have had enough. "They are no designed for that," said Guevin.
Guevin explains how some of the sprinkler heads actually burst. Photos taken by guests in one of the gaming rooms at Harrah's on Monday morning show one sprinkler discharging and soaking some of the machines.
The fire safety system had to be shut down during repair. "That was a concern because that affected fire safety in some buildings," he said. "All casinos are up and the fire systems are running with the exception of one building," said Guevin. He says officials will actually monitor the area where the system remains down as part of a contingency plan.
