The site of the blaze that destroyed the Gale Building in downtown Mitchell Friday continued to smolder Monday as businesses continue to deal with the fire's aftermath.
Late Monday afternoon, crews opened the portion of Main Street in front of the building, which had been closed since the fire began. However, the 100 block of West Second Avenue will remain closed, said Chief of Public Safety Lyndon Overweg.
In addition, the sidewalk in front of Merchandise Outlet Store and Dr. Lucky's -- two additional businesses that were damaged from the fire -- will remain closed due to the possibility of falling debris.
It's still unknown what caused the fire, which started in the back -- or westernmost section -- of the building, said Overweg. The bulk of the investigative work will likely begin sometime today.
Bob Nyreen, of Alcester, who has owned the building since 2003, said he's in limbo. Along with owning the building, located at 201 N. Main St., Nyreen owned two businesses housed in the building: Janitor's Express and Tri-State Janitorial.
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"I am trying to get some equipment together for (James Deanovich, the store's manager)," Nyreen said. "We have to maintain the jobs we still have."
The fire began Friday night and continued until early Saturday morning. Over the weekend, several flare-ups kept Mitchell firefighters working around the clock. The building was eventually razed Sunday morning, and all that is left is the store's sign and a pile of rubble.
The investigation is being handled by several different agencies, including the Mitchell Fire and Police Divisions, Division of Criminal Investigation and the fire marshal's office.
Dave Nash, a co-owner of Dr. Lucky's, spent Monday surveying the damage with his insurance adjuster. "We don't have an idea on when we will open," said Nash. "It depends on how long it takes to clean up."
Dr. Lucky's received water and smoke damage from the fire. Nash said it's too soon to determine the extent of the damage. He said a structural engineer will be brought in to look at the building.
On a lighter note, Nash was able to recover some vintage guitars that were hanging on the walls at the time of the fire. Officals allowed Nash and others into the bar early Saturday morning and the guitars were "the first thing we took out."
Merchandise Outlet Store Manager Kim Cross could not be reached Monday. The store, which is located next door to Janitor's Express, received heavy smoke and water damage.
Owners and employees at Geyermans Clothing Co. spent Monday cleaning for today's reopening. Store co-owner Patty Forseth said the store will open this morning at 9:30.
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"We are wiping stuff down so that it doesn't smell like smoke," said Forseth. "I think there is a slight smoke smell to some of the clothes, but because of that we are taking 30 percent off."
With several shopping days left before Christmas, Forseth was keeping an entrepreneurial spirit.
"Our loss is their gain," she said.
