The El Rancho Vegas Hotel burned to the ground on June 17, 1960. It was one of the most horrific and historic fires in the history of resort destination. This gallery contains images of the devastation captured on that summer day. The hotel was never rebuilt. See more on this story.
(Photo credit and copyrights to all images is that of the Las Vegas News Bureau/Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.)
A photographer and another gentleman stand outside the El Rancho Vegas Hotel as Clark County Fire Department crews work to knock down the blaze. A fire engine ladder can be seen in the sky over the hotel as a crew member walks along the roof.
Fire crews work to put out the fire. Seen here focusing a water hose on the fire from an engine truck ladder.
A photographer capturing the history of the day the El Rancho Hotel Vegas burned down moves along the edge of the pool. You can see bits of charred debris in the water.
The porte cochere area of The El Rancho Vegas Hotel after the June 17 fire in 1960. Fire hoses can be seen strewn across the drive. In the distance rubble and the few exterior walls left standing. The blaze completely destroyed the hotel property.
A front view of the El Rancho Hotel Vegas from the porte cochere.
Hotel guests in the parking lot watching Clark County firefighters work on putting out the flames.
Displaced guests stand around the hotel property as fire crews work. Guests are stunned by the fire.
A photographer gets a close up photograph of the ruin left behind by the fire.
The fire that could be seen for miles in the distance completely destroyed the resort property.
The fire ravaged El Rancho Hotel Vegas is no longer recognizable after fire rips through it on June 17, 1960.
The charred remains of the El Rancho Hotel Vegas.
The El Rancho Hotel Vegas pool after the fire.
An image of what remained after of the pool area where guests sunbathed and enjoyed the cool water after fire gutted the hotel.
The pool area of the El Rancho Hotel Vegas with the charred hotel as it's backdrop. In the distance you can see a ladder extended from a Clark County Fire Department engine.