City closes street around burnt historic building
A witness to the Monday fire in downtown El Centro shares what he saw when the historic Brooks Jewelry building went up in flames.
Christopher Hicks said, “First, we just seen smoke and then after that just heard a big loud commotion and then the fire started. From there it just happened.”
He said it was a shocking sight.
“Still can’t believe it. Everyday we come here. We come to this building right here, so it’s crazy. A 100-year-old building that’s been here a 100 years is gone!” Hicks said.
City Council Member Jason Jackson said an arson investigation is ongoing.
“There was a suspect that was seen leaving the scene prior to the fire and investigators are looking into that. Our law enforcement is following leads and hopefully we’ll have something come up positive and we’ll be able to at least question the individual and find out if he is indeed the person that set the fire,” Jackson said.
Two days later, the city closed off streets around the building at Main and Sixth Street for the public’s safety.
“Unfortunately, right we’re waiting for structural engineers to sign off on the building to make sure that it’s safe. Right now, we’re siding on the area of caution just to make sure that there is no collapse of the walls on the second floor that could cause any kind of injury to anybody that may be walking by,” Jackson said.
He said the fire is a blow to recent efforts of jumpstarting business in downtown.
“It certainly going to be a negative impact. As much as this city council and the city staff have tried to revitalize the downtown. The new street lights just went in this last year. Different projects that we’re looking at,” Jackson said.
He said things could get worse if the building is found to be in danger of collapse.
“Then you’re looking at the potential for demolition and such and that would be the next step,” Jackson said.
City officials are still committed to revitalizing downtown and will continue working towards that. In the meantime, the arson investigation of an iconic city building is ongoing. If anyone has information, they can contact the local police.
