photo by: Nick Gerik

Emergency crews work the scene of a fire at Blade and Timber, 809 Massachusetts St., in downtown Lawrence. The fire broke out Monday morning, Oct. 28, 2019.

After a fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage at 809 Massachusetts St., the fate of the ax-throwing business that occupied the building is uncertain.

“We’re waiting for details of the investigation to conclude before making any final decisions about the future of Blade & Timber Lawrence,” Jessie Poole, communications coordinator for the business, said via email. “However, we’ve advised our staff to begin looking for other jobs, and we’re actively helping them find work, through other local businesses or with our Kansas City locations.”

The fire was reported around 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 28. Heavy smoke poured from the building, and the 800 block of Massachusetts Street was closed for several hours. There were no injuries, but the damage to the building was extensive, the Journal-World has reported.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Division Chief of Administration Tom Fagan told the Journal-World via email Nov. 4 that the initial damage estimates were $75,000 for the structure and $25,000 for contents. On Friday, Fagan said the fire was still under investigation.

However, folks in Lawrence will have at least one more chance to throw axes this Sunday, Poole said.

photo by: Journal-World File Photo

In this Journal-World file photo from Sept. 11, 2018, James Marx watches as the ax he threw flies on its way to the target at Blade and Timber in downtown Lawrence.

From noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, the company will offer a coaching session and a 10-throw league game for $10, Poole said. The business will set up mobile ax-throwing lanes at Lawrence Beer Co., 826 Pennsylvania St.

“While the future of Blade & Timber Lawrence is uncertain, we hope to throw axes at least one more time with the community,” she said via email.

The business had occupied the building short of 14 months prior to the fire.

Blade & Timber also operates locations in Kansas City and Wichita, and it is opening locations across the country, according to its website.