A fire at the former Sundowner Hotel Casino in downtown Reno was intentionally set.

That's the word from Reno Fire Department spokesman Steve Frady, who says investigators are trying to determine who set the blaze Tuesday at the building now being developed into The Belvedere luxury condominiums.

The fire, which broke out shortly before 5 p.m., produced flames 30 to 60 feet high and a thick smoke plume that could be seen around the downtown.

Frady says the blaze also caused about $120,000 in damage and prompted evacuations. He says the damage was largely confined to the building's exterior, but there was some smoke and water damage to the interior.

Meanwhile, officials are investigating whether a barbecue on a balcony caused a fire at an eight-unit Reno apartment complex early Wednesday morning.

Frady says the blaze caused about $225,000 in damage, but was confined to a single apartment in the Carlin Street structure. No injuries were reported in either fire.