Fort Scott, Kan – Work has begun in earnest on the Holmtown Pub building on North National Ave in Fort Scott. Building owners Chuck and Kristy Holmes began repairs after a structural issue and fire Feb. 13.
“We still haven’t heard anything from the insurance company, but we didn’t want to wait any longer,” Holmes said, “ Kristy and I decided to get going with the repairs and hope we hear something, but one person told us it may be another 45 days.”
Holmes said the building was annually inspected by an insurance company representative.
"It was inspected in January and they found no issues," Holmes said. The collapse and fire came a month later, with no prior indication that repairs were needed.
The west end of the three-story section detached, triggering an electrical fire late on Feb. 13. All employees and patrons evacuated safely. The electrical wiring for the entire building ran through the damaged wall.
After receiving reports from the insurance company's structural engineer and with a desire to reopen, the Holmeses hired David Saker for demolition, 5M Restoration for wall reconstruction and Jeff Allen for the electrical work.
“By the time they are done there will be 900 – 1,000 new block down for the new wall,” Holmes said, “This week, with good weather, we should see some significant progress.”
James and Kristal Wood are owners of the Pub operation and are eager to get the doors back open.
“The public never saw the part of the building that is the problem,” Wood said, “It was storage and where we put the bar for our lower-level outside events.”
“We’re ready to get back at it,” Wood said, “Weather permitting we are hoping to be open by the end of May.”
