MJ Fire crews assess the damage

All that's left is four walls filled with brick, wood and burnt belongings. At last word the building is still standing and the water has been turned off.

Moose Jaw fire crews still on scene Tuesday afternoon though, after the massive fire that claimed a 100 year old building in downtown Moose Jaw Monday.

Crews were dousing the hot spots with water right through Monday night and into the wee hours Tuesday morning, 24 hours after the fire started, ensuring there were not any flare ups. The public is being asked to stay clear of the area as the building is very unstable and has been completely gutted by the blaze.

Fire Chief Garth Palmer says they haven't pinpointed a cause as of yet. "Our fire investigator has been on scene and he will be working closely with the police service to try and determine a cause and origin of the fire."

It was first reported that the fire started on a fire escape on the south side of the building but further investigation has lead to officials changing their point of view. Chief Palmer believes the flames spotted on the outside of the building Monday morning, were actually spreading from the inside out.

Palmer says they will be looking to make the area at the corner of High street and 1st NW as safe as they can, as soon as they can. "The building has been severely compromised and the structure is not sound."

The building is already in a high traffic area but add in the fact that Mosaic Place will be home to the second round of the WHL playoffs starting on Friday, there is a great risk to public safety as 5000 flock to the downtown facility to work and take in the hockey games this weekend.

We'll have more details on this story as they become available.

Click here to see photos from the fire site