MGM Grand Hotel fire of 1980 led to major fire-safety reforms

On November 21, 1980, a fire at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas killed 85 people and injured hundreds, making it one of the deadliest hotel fires in U.S. history. The blaze began in a restaurant area and spread smoke and toxic gases through the building, with investigations highlighting deficiencies in smoke detection and evacuation routes. The disaster prompted statewide and national changes to fire codes, building egress standards, and hotel safety regulations. The MGM Grand site remains a documented case study in fire safety and emergency response reform.