UPDATE: Federal arson investigators will look into Dick Bruhn fire

UPDATE 2/15/2016 1:20 PM: Light smoke is still billowing from the Dick Bruhn building in Oldtown Salinas. A large structure fire broke out there Saturday.

On Monday afternoon, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad will survey the inside of the building. On Tuesday, federal arson investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will respond. Salinas does not have their own arson investigator.

KION’s Mariana Hicks is on scene. She’ll have more details at 5 and 6 Monday night.

ORIGINAL STORY: A large fire ripped through the inside of the vacant Dick Bruhn building on the 300 block of Main Street in Oldtown Salinas Saturday causing serious damage and traffic delays, according to the Salinas Fire Department. The fear now is that building may collapse.

According to the Salinas Fire Department, crews were able to put out flames on the first floor of the building, but they were met by heavy smoke and fire on the second floor, forcing them to pull all crews out the building.

Now, the investigation into a cause is underway and Salinas Deputy Fire Chief Brett Loomis says it looks suspicious.

“A fire that occurs on a Saturday afternoon and is as advanced as this fire
brings up some flags that we want to look at,” said Loomis.

The building has not fallen yet, but Salinas Fire says they aren’t taking any chances and are closing off Main Street and East Alisal between Salinas and Monterey streets to through traffic until at least Tuesday.

At one point, crews had fears that the flames might spread to the Ariel Theater next door, but Salinas Fire says they were able to prevent that from happening.

“There was no fire damage, no smoke damage, no damage (to the Ariel Theater), however there was water damage in the basement,” said Loomis.

The fire drew in spectators from all across the city, including Susie Sweeten who said seeing the building on fire was painful.”

“I think it is sad, said Sweeten. “I mean is literally bringing tears to my eyes.”

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.