You know those fellows who set the Monte Carlo on fire? Well, it seems they were working under a window-washing permit. I kid you not. Tony Illia ran down this gem, which adds to the tragi-comedy of how Union Erectors turned a Strip resort into a big-ass Roman candle.

As for the non-response of the Clark County Fire Department, which declared that since the fire was unintentional no one was to be held accountable, Illia notes that this was supposed to be the new, improved Clark County and its 20-man special-investigation unit, adding "Well, it's certainly off to a bad start."

Illia, one of the best journalists with whom I've had the privilege to work, has some strong words for Clark County. Nor do the private-sector players get off the hook: "One suspects this isn’t the first time that MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo’s owner, has taken short cuts to get things done. Union Erectors has worked on other MGM Mirage properties including the MGM Grand and CityCenter. It has also done work at the Paris Las Vegas and Caesars Palace (both owned by Harrah’s) as well as The Venetian."

Speaking of fires ... Arson victim the Moulin Rouge got the go-ahead from the City of Las Vegas to demolish everything save its marquee and brick tower. A new, Ed Vance-designed hotel-casino is slated to break ground next year and open in 4Q10 (which usually means, "As late in December as possible without forfeiting New Year's Eve").

Project approval and rezoning approval have already been granted for what's drawn up as a 700-room hotel, plus at least two nightclubs, four restaurants and a spa, among other amenities. It might seem small-scale by Palazzo standards, but remember that we're talking about something way off-Strip (but very close to the freeway) in a dodgy neighborhood, so it's what you might call a "marketing challenge." I'm assured that Republic Urban Properties has deep pockets (as in $4 billion deep), so it looks as though the long-promised, oft-deferred rebirth of the Moulin Rouge will finally occur.

Real Hollywood disses Planet Hollywood. Someone from the film industry strolled past Trader Vic's recently during the wee hours and was subjected to a limp rendition of "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince, played to a crowd of maybe 20 souls. The verdict? "It wasn't exactly LAX."

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