Demolition crews clear remnants of Medicine Hat's Royal Hotel on Friday. The historic hotel in downtown Medicine Hat was destroyed by fire last month.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
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Demolition began Friday at the site of the Royal Hotel, which was destroyed by fire six weeks ago, while investigators await making a final determination on the cause.
Firefighters fought the blaze for most of a day Sept. 16 after receiving calls of smoke coming from the rear entrance.
Traffic was diverted for most of the day as fire crews from three stations attempted to limit the spread to a neighbouring block of offices.
They could not, however, save the 1910-era wood-framed hotel or historic brick annex. The building had no residential tenants, but featured a well known music venue and bar.
A second fire at the site required city workers to block traffic on a ramp from First Street SE to S. Railway for fear of the building’s facade tumbling down.
Fire inspectors told the News they are not deeming the blaze suspicious in nature, but require chemical analysis of certain items retrieved before they can say either way.
That was sent away for testing earlier this month. A formal statement will be made when the file is closed, said fire investigator Carter Gramlich..
