Scranton fire officials could not determine the cause of a fire that tore through a West Scranton hotel last month.
Fire Department investigators, assisted by the Scranton Police Department, determined the fire Dec. 10 at the West Side Hotel originated on the second floor on the north side of the structure, Fire Chief John Judge said in a news release Monday.
However, he said the cause is undetermined due to the damage from the fire. The building sustained significant fire, smoke and water damage, Judge added.
The fire broke out around 2 a.m. at the building at 129 S. Main Ave. It displaced 26 residents and destroyed the building, which had a bar on the first floor and rooming houses above it. Firefighters remained on the scene until the following afternoon extinguishing the blaze. The Red Cross assisted the displaced residents.
Judge said the cause will remain undetermined pending new information.
He said city engineers determined a portion of the building needs to be razed and are working with the building’s owner, his insurance company and other city officials on a plan to tear down the part that is structurally unstable.