UPDATE: Developer of Dick Bruhn building under investigation after fire

UPDATE 2/17/2016 1:15 PM: On Wednesday, some streets are expected to re-open in Salinas by 3PM, previously closed because of the investigation into the Dick Bruhn building fire.

-Eastbound Alisal Street will be fully open
-Westbound Alisal will have one lane open between South Main and Salinas Streets (and will be open as usual elsewhere)
-The 300 block of South Main Street will be fully open, except for the front and parking areas of the Dick Bruhn building at 300 South Main

KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more information on the latest developments in this story at 5 & 6.

UPDATE 2/16/2016 6:20 PM:

New developments in the investigation into the cause of the Dick Bruhn building fire in Salinas. On Tuesday, another twist was revealed.

The Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District said it was looking into possible illegal demolition and asbestos removal at the iconic building. Officials say such violations could lead to civil or criminal action against the developer, Berkley Inc.

Salinas Fire Chief Ed Rodriguez addressed the building’s problematic past, especially when he was asked about the building’s permits.

“The only information that we have preliminary was there had been an Air Quality Management District report that required the building owner go in and do monitoring for potential asbestos in the building,” Chief Rodriguez said. “And I believe the permit expired on Feb. 2. As far as I understand it from the building department, there’s no permits taken out for any kind of construction at the building.”

Chris Callihan, the Salinas city attorney, confirmed no construction permits were issued to the Berkley Inc. KION reached out to the developer. The vice president of its West Coast operations says they will issue a statement on Wednesday or Thursday. Jesse Kehoe says they’ve done asbestos abatement and the building was given a clean bill of health.

As that investigation goes on, so does the investigation into what caused the fire Saturday. At this point, authorities are no closer to an answer, but hope to learn more soon.

“The fact of the matter is, we do not know what has caused this fire,” Chief Rodriguez said.

While Salinas fire crews haven’t been able to do a floor by floor search inside the 300 Main St., they’re relying on evidence that will come from the outside.

“We’re gathering additional witness statements, we’re trying to locate any additional video of the building from the outside, from adjoining businesses to determine if we can identify anyone or try witness statements, that sort of thing,” Rodriguez said.

Before they can go in, city leaders want to make sure the building in structurally sound. Two engineers, one from the city, the other hired by the owner of the building, checked out the property Tuesday.

PG&E crews have been surveying the damage and are making the repairs needed to restore power to two nearby businesses. Public works crews plan to clean up the streets surrounding the Dick Bruhn building before reopening it to traffic Wednesday or Thursday.

ORIGINAL POST:

On Tuesday, Salinas city leaders gave an update on the Dick Bruhn fire in Oldtown Salinas.

The historic, three-story building was consumed by fire Saturday and is still smoldering.

Federal arson investigators with the ATF arrived on scene Tuesday to investigate and assist Salinas Fire and Police. At this point, the cause of the fire has not been determined, but officials believe it started in the back of the building.

Officials also said they’re not 100 percent sure if there are any bodies in the building because crews haven’t been able to go inside yet. Reports do say people were seen running out of the building shortly before the fire. Investigators will look into surveillance footage as they continue to investigate.

Footage gathered by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad on Monday helped determine where the hot spots still are. Apart from putting out those hot spots, crews are still trying to restore power to some nearby businesses, including the Civic Center, and get the area back open. The firefighting costs still haven’t been determined.

Keep checking KION as more information on this story develops.