Storms Thursday triggered a building collapse in the Fort Worth Stockyards, the fire department said.
The back wall of the old Masonic Lodge and Stage Coach Hotel at 2408 North Main Street collapsed during the storm. The collapse sent nearly 100 old bricks smashing down onto eight cars parked below.
No one was injured, but eight vehicles were damaged, some totaled.
"I was up in my office on the third floor and saw the rain going sideways outside and pretty soon someone came on the intercom in the store and said your cars have been smashed, you might want to come down here," said Jo Maurice whose car was totaled.
Fort Worth Fire was concerned the other three walls may not be stable and evacuated neighboring buildings, including the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Maverick Fine Western Wear, White Elephant Saloon and Love Shack.
Steve Murrin co-owns the building and several other properties in the Stockyards.
"It was one of those bigger storms and I'm delighted it didn't do any more damage than it did," Murrin said.
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The National Weather Service says wind speeds were likely around 80 mph in Fort Worth at the height of the storm.
Friday, crews spent the day cleaning up bricks and checking to see if they could save what's left of the building.
"It's got some great steel structure inside, but it's going to take some better engineers than me," said Murrin.
North Main Street is closed between NW 23rd Street and NW 25th Street. It's still unclear how long the closure will be in place or when Lonesome Dove can reopen.
A Saturday event near the Stockyards Station, the Great Rescue Roundup, will go on as planned whether the street is open or not. The event will be held in the 100 block of Exchange Avenue which was not affected by the storms.
