Omaha Forums

World-Herald staff reports wrote:Fire and rescue officials are on the scene of a reported a fire and explosion at M’s Pub at 11th and Howard in the Old Market. Fire department personnel are spraying water into apartment windows above M’s. Heavy smoke continues to pour out.

Callers to 911 reported a strong smell of natural gas just before the explosion, and the Fire Department said there was a leak in the basement.

GetUrban wrote:This is becoming so tragic. Hope nobody else gets hurt.

Brad wrote:I sure hope the exterior of the building can be saved and they can rebuild inside the external walls.

The Reader wrote:With the extent of the damage days away from being accurately assessed, the community wasted no time coming together in support of those who lost their jobs and homes last night. Restaurant owner Greg Cutchall has extended an offer to employ as many of M's staff as he can at nearby Jams while M's owners Ron Samuelson and Ann Mellen decide where to go from here.

The Tavern owner David Kerr launched a YouCaring account, instantly making the first generous donation to accompany a heartfelt note about the loss. https://www.youcaring.com/servers-in-th ... ket-500610

The Red Cross leapt into action, finding lodging for displaced families at The Residence Inn at 106 s 15th st. Donations can be made by simply texting 90999 to automatically send $10 to the cause.

Ethan Bondelid wrote: The Market House Omaha looks surprisingly good inside. Paper menus on the tables let alone, a floor. It is raining in the restaurant however.

Jean Stothert @ 1:15 PM 10JAN16 wrote:
Update on Old Market fire: Building inspectors were at the scene last night and returned today but are not able enter the building, it is unstable and unsafe. They will try again tomorrow. Chief Kanger briefed me again this morning and urges everyone to stay away from the area. Here is the news release from the Omaha Fire Department, issued a short time ago.
Omaha Fire crews were dispatched to a possible explosion in a building at 422 South 11th St on January 9th at 2:51 p.m. Upon arrival crews found fire coming from the basement of the building and could smell natural gas at that time in the area.
A working fire was declared at 3:04 p.m. Crews entered the building and searched for possible occupied apartments on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors but did not find any occupants. A second alarm was declared at 3:43 p.m. as crews then fought the fire from the exterior until the natural gas was controlled by MUD at 4:28 p.m. Once the gas was controlled, an interior attack was attempted until the fire conditions forced them out of the
building into an outside, defensive attack.
Due to the fire conditions and the extreme weather, a 3rd alarm was declared at 7:26 p.m. The roof of the building collapsed at 10:30 p.m. amid reports that parts of the first floor of the building had also collapsed into the basement of the structure.
The fire was declared under control at midnight. Approximately 60 firefighters were on scene to help control the blaze. They battled not only the fire, but extreme cold, ice, and equipment issues due to the cold.
One occupant of the building suffered laceration and singed hair while he was exiting the building prior to crew’s arrival.
One other civilian was transported to a nearby hospital at 6:24 p.m. for a broken leg after slipping on the ice.
No Firefighter injuries were reported.
The fire building is part of 5 buildings that extend from 11th St. to the west. The fire building and the building next to it, to the west, are part of the “exclusion zone” that has been established, where no one is allowed in that area. Fire officials are attempting to have the utilities for the next 3 buildings to the west (buildings that house Stokes restaurant and Billy Frogs bar and grill) turned back on so that pipes do not freeze and are in the process of turning custody of those buildings back to their owners so that they may be re-occupied.
Road closures in the area include 10th St to 12th St. at Howard, and 11th St. North from Howard to Harney St.
Fire crews are still on scene today, as well as fire investigators.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.

Coyote wrote:

Ethan Bondelid wrote: The Market House Omaha looks surprisingly good inside. Paper menus on the tables let alone, a floor. It is raining in the restaurant however.

Tim Maides wrote:Cross your fingers boys

Coyote wrote:This corner has rebuilt before.

"The Mercer Block #3 at the NE corner of 11th & Howard was destroyed by fire Jan 28, 1905. A new building replaced it in 1906."

image.jpg

Coyote wrote:Has the Stothert Administration said anything about this yet? That the one of the most iconic and tourist revenue creating site in this community has had a disaster? That they will do all they can to help restore this corner ?

choke wrote:Well, there are some buildings east of the Holland Center that may need to be moved to a new location.

Coyote wrote:
Mentions nothing about the businesses...

Jean Stothert wrote:
We are all saddened by the devastating fire in the Old Market and the losses to the businesses and residents. Our memories of M's Pub are celebrations, holiday gatherings, summer afternoons on the patio and much more.

The Omaha Fire Department has done an exceptional job for nearly 24 hours. Thank you to every firefighter who risked their own safety. We are so fortunate this fire did not cause significant injuries or loss of life. We also thank the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other Old Market businesses providing shelter and support to our firefighters and residents.

The extreme cold and icing makes this a dangerous area right now. The fire and police departments request that you stay a safe distance away until they give the all clear.

As Chief Kanger and his investigative team provide updates on the condition of the building and the cause of the fire, we will provide thorough information.