The reek of smoke still hung in the air of South Lyndale Avenue Friday afternoon as rush hour traffic crept past the destroyed home of Beeks King of Pizza and Diamond Lake Rental.

Thursday evening's fire had savaged the structure. The three billboards on top of the single-story building leaned inwards, while pipes and bits of collapsed ceiling hung n a tangled mess from the remaining walls, visible through the exploded windows. The rear part of the building, including the Beek's kitchen space, had collapsed in a pile of rubble. An oversized boxing glove lay on a window sill.

When reached by phone, staff at Beek's St. Louis Park location said the businesses owners were not yet ready to speak to the public.