FIRE investigators working to determine cause of this week's building fire

Friday, August 24th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

It was back-to-work Friday for the construction crew "put on hold" by a dramatic high-rise fire at St. John Medical Center. Meanwhile, the investigation into the cause continues.

Tulsa Fire investigators have released Manhattan Construction to resume work on the lower seven floors, however, they're doing their own investigation - to make it safe for crews to return. Crews are working in the hospital expansion and the parking garage. Fire investigators also examined media footage Friday to learn more about the fire. They came to the News on Six to view tapes of our coverage. Six KOTV photojournalists shot footage of the flames that shot 30 to 40 feet from the 12th floor of the medical office structure. Investigators say they're learning more about the fire's patterns, its smoke flow, physical and chemical behavior.

Tulsa Fire Captain Hubert Rouse says they hoped to conclude the investigation Friday. A Manhattan Construction official tells KOTV workers will return to the burned structure on Monday. They hope to be cleared for work in the entire building next week.