They say it started as an electrical fire Friday night. Flames destroyed the interior and roof of the The Original Pepperbelly's Comedy & Variety Theater, located at 849 Texas St.
Fire inspectors haven't been able to go inside because of structural issues. Those issues also are keeping neighboring businesses closed, but crews were able to remove debris Saturday and open surrounding streets.
"We have metal siding up top that's blowing in the wind. Those were damaged in the fire, or the support studs were damaged in the fire. Battalion Chief Bob Stoffel said. "We're trying to get those shored up so they don't leave the building and hurt somebody."
More than one hundred firefighters responded to the fire.
No injuries were reported and no other buildings were damaged.
