High rollers didn’t get chance to burn their money

Some high rollers saw their cash go up in smoke at The Cosmopolitan on Saturday.

Flames were so intense that they destroyed at least one of poolside lock boxes that many revelers use for safekeeping.

The Bamboo Pool was packed when the fire erupted at 12:15 p.m., igniting fake palm trees. That created pillars of dangerous black smoke.

Wind gusts fueled the blazing trees, which are made of plastic and high-density foam.

Most local resort pool venues keep safes inside the cabanas.

Fire investigators have received several videos that appear to show the fire starting in the cabanas.

"Those places are tinderboxes," said a former day-club executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

He is convinced the near-disastrous incident is "going to change regulations and requirements. They were real lucky."

The Scene and Heard

Caesars Palace headliner Mariah Carey receives a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Aug. 5. Guest speakers will include Hollywood director and producer Brett Ratner and record producer L.A. Reid. ...

DJ Ashba, lead guitarist with Guns N' Roses since 2009, announced on his Facebook page that he is leaving the band to focus his energies to his other band, Sixx: A.M., which features Nikki Sixx and James Michael. ...

Bill May and Christina Jones, who perform in Cirque du Soleil's "O" at Bellagio, won the inaugural mixed duet Sunday in the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia. FINA is the world governing body for swimming. They return to the Bellagio show Aug. 12.

Sightings

Sean "Diddy" Combs, joined by his assistant, bodyguard and entourage for lunch Tuesday at La Cave in Wynn Las Vegas. ... Former Duke guards Quinn Cook and Nolan Smith, riding the High Roller at The Linq on Sunday. They were celebrating Smith's 27th birthday, which was Saturday. ... Mayor Oscar Goodman and current Mayor Carolyn Goodman celebrated his 76th birthday Sunday at Coronado, Calif., famous for the historic Hotel del Coronado. You can sign a birthday card at Oscar's Beef Booze Broads at The Plaza through Aug. 1 and take your photo with a life-sized Oscar. ... At N9ne Steakhouse in the Palms on Sunday: NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk. At another table: actor JD Pardo, who appears in the NBC sci-fi thriller "Revolution." ... Retired NBA player Lamar Odom, at Crazy Horse III over the weekend celebrating with Perrier-Jouet champagne. His divorce from Khloe Kardashian was recently finalized.

The Punch Line

"A CNN poll has Trump with 18 percent, ahead of Jeb Bush in second with 15 percent. This is how we do things now. We find our spouses on "The Bachelorette" and our presidents on "The Apprentice." — Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter:@Norm_Clarke