SOUTH BEND — The fifth-floor of the Lafayette Building caught fire Monday, June 8, and since then, Layfayette Boulevard between Washington Street and Jefferson Boulevard has been closed to drivers.
The city announced Thursday, June 18, that the block has reopened with a restriction. The south-bound lane in front of the building is still closed. But the north-bound lane and the north parking lane have been converted into a two-lane road for drivers.
The south-bound lane and the west side sidewalk will remain closed for the foreseeable future, the city said in a press release.
The Lafayette Building fire began some time around 8 a.m. on the fifth-floor. According to previous Tribune reporting, more than 75 firefighters and 25 companies responded to the fire. The cause still remains unknown but investigators found no one injured or deceased inside the building.
City officials discussed the building’s future Thursday, June 11. The South Bend Redevelopment Commission passed a resolution to use the remaining $750,000 in money originally set aside for redevelopment of the building to be used now to help determine the building’s preservation status, according to previous Tribune reporting. The commission said it hopes the building can be saved but will rely on the state fire marshal’s investigation and structural engineers to determine how to proceed.
The fire collapsed the roof, shattered windows, shifted the sun roof and, according to Tribune reporting, the wooden support beams have all but turned to ash and the iron support beams have twisted and melted.
Email Tribune staff writer Juliane Balog at jbalog@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Lafayette Boulevard reopens in South Bend after fire with restrictions
Reporting by Juliane Balog , South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Juliane Balog , South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
