It could be weeks before investigators can get in to what's left of a historic Old Market building following a weekend fire.
The explosion and three-alarm fire destroyed M's Pub and the apartments on the second, third, and fourth floors. The roof and part of the first floor collapsed.
Omaha Fire Chief Bernard Kanger says there were no calls to Douglas County 911 to report a natural gas leak prior to the explosion. Kanger says the fire was fed by natural gas for about an hour. It is not confirmed at this point if a gas line was ruptured. A contractor was installing fiber optic cable outside the building at the time of the explosion.
Kanger says it took 60 firefighters to get the blaze under control. The Fire Department's investigation unit is currently doing interviews and collecting photos and video from the scene.
Jay Davis, Chief Building Inspector for the city of Omaha, says the building will have to be demolished if it's deemed unsafe. He emphasized during Monday's news conference that investigators hope the building won't have to be torn down.
Kanger characterized the fire as the second worst he's seen in his 24 years with the Fire Department.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said at Monday's news conference that the Mercer family, who owns the building and M's Pub, hopes to rebuild on the site.