Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino strives to reopen its bingo hall following fire

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino and Resort’s bingo hall is in the process of being cleaned up following a fire Sunday afternoon which forced the evacuation of 205 employees and guests.

A bad fuse in the air-conditioning unit appeared to be to blame, said Holly O’Brien, a spokeswoman for the casino.

“It created a very small fire which in turn created a lot of smoke,” she said. “We had
205 employees and guests who were moved immediately and safely into the main building.”

The Ak-Chin Fire Department and the Maricopa Fire Department responded shortly after 3 p.m. and were able to contain the fire “within less than an hour – closer to 30 minutes – probably on the outside of it,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien characterized the evacuation as quick and orderly. The decision to move people was based on the high amount of smoke the fire was generating in addition to concern for the overall safety of employees and guests.

While the bingo hall, which is directly across from the main building is always closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, O’Brien said it is not yet clear whether it will be ready to reopen on Wednesday.

“We’re working on it,” she said.

O’Brien said the damage was minimal.

“We could open, there is nothing that is damaged per se; there is nothing like that, it is just a matter of ‘will it be safe?’ We have a few things to take care of,” she said.

The to-do list includes installing dampers in the ventilation system, signs on all fire riser room doors and occupancy load signage.

“All areas of concern were addressed and the fuses that feed the units have been pulled,” she said. “There are no safety issues right now.”