M’s Pub suffered damage from an apparent explosion on Saturday afternoon. It has affected the entire building where the restaurant is located on 11th Street in the Old Market.
WITNESS: M's Pub employee says she knew something wasn't right
Crews upgraded the incident to a second-alarm fire just before 4 p.m. due to the extent of the fire and need to evacuate nearby residents, according to Omaha Fire Chief Bernard Kanger. The fire was later upgraded to a third-alarm fire around 7:30 p.m.
Kanger says as of 6:15 p.m. the fire is not considered under control and firefighters are in a defensive position.
The Chief says there has been a partial collapse of the basement under M's Pub which is making the attack more difficult. The building is more than 100 years old.
Fire crews have also reported numerous equipment issues as temperatures continued to drop Saturday night.
So far, one person has been confirmed transported to Nebraska Medicine with injuries from that explosion. There have been no reports of anyone who was eating or working inside the restaurant suffering major injuries.
PHOTOS: M's Pub catches fire in the Old Market
Flames and smoke could be seen from several blocks away. Crews have established a perimeter in the Old Market.
OPPD as well as MUD are at the scene. The Metropolitan Utilities District confirms they shut off gas to the building around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
Official from @mudomahane tells me techs are trying to shut down gas supply to building right now. #MsPubFire #Omaha Fire ravaging building.
— KevinBoughton (@KevinBoughton) January 9, 2016
Several nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution. Fire eventually spread to condos above the pub, forcing those residents out of their homes. The Red Cross has been at the scene to assist those displaced.
Much of the Old Market area remains closed Saturday night to both traffic and those coming to take a look on foot.
As for a cause, Chief Kanger says it's just too early to tell, but fire investigators are at the scene beginning their investigation.
Stay tuned to KMTV and KMTV.com for live team coverage from the Old Market.
Have you downloaded the new KMTV mobile app? Get more great stories like this one, lightning fast radar, and instant alerts when breaking news is unfolding.
Download the free app for iPhonehere and Androidhere.
Previous Coverage:
Crews are working a fire in the Old Market district of downtown Omaha.
There is a working fire in the area of 422 s 11. Structure Fire
— Douglas County 911 (@DCNE911) January 9, 2016
KMTV reporter Nick Starling tweeted he was in the area and felt and heard an explosion near M's Pub. He reports crews are telling people to stay clear of the area.
Sitting at Wheatfields in the Old Market--felt and heard the explosion reportedly at M's pub.
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) January 9, 2016
Working fire. Crew en route to M's Pub in the Old Market, will have updates on @action3news live at 5pm https://t.co/TTfrcJT2CN
— Shannon Wilson (@ShannonKMTV) January 9, 2016
If you were in the area or have photos from of the fire, post them on social media using #KMTV or send them to iContribute@kmtv.com
#oldmarket #mspub pic.twitter.com/DzeVcCPXoD
— Manuel Cook (@mannebeingmanne) January 9, 2016
KMTV Action 3 News has crews at the scene. Refresh this page and download the KMTV mobile app for the latest.
