DAYTON, Ohio -- The Kettering Tower located on 2nd Street in downtown Dayton was closed Thursday due to an early-morning explosion and fire.

The building is perhaps one of the busiest skyscrapers in downtown Dayton. Fire crews spent most of the day cleaning up and trying to determine what led to the first spark.

Hundreds of people work the building. In fact, officials said between 800 and 1,000 people are employed by more than 50 businesses that operate out of the Kettering Tower.

Dayton city leaders are working overtime to try and accommodate displaced workers. They said they will do what they can to make the temporary transition workable.

The electrical fire that hit Dayton’s tallest building sent every firefighter in the city to the 30-story building.

Fire officials said firefighters were called to the building around 2 a.m. and quickly made this a three-alarm fire to make sure they had enough manpower if case things turned rough inside the building.

Investigators said a waterflow prevention system on the 30th floor overflowed and sent water down the pipe chases in the building to the basement electrical vault where it caused an electrical short that created an explosion and fire. Investigators said the fire mostly showed itself on the 23rd floor.

Fire officials said floors one through nine may be open on Friday if building managers can find a way to get the building’s alarm system back up and running.

Authorities said the building does not have power above the 16th floor. The elevators are not working between floors nine and 16.

A rumor hotline has been established for more information. That number is 225-6217.

Fire Affects Police, Fire Communication Equipment

Authorities in Dayton said because of a fire Thursday morning at the Kettering Tower in downtown Dayton, police and fire communications were affected because their equipment is located on the top floor the tower.

Dayton police are using Montgomery County sheriff radio channels so police officers can communicate with each other on the streets.

For their safety, all Dayton police officers are working in two people crews. This means fewer cruisers will be on the streets Thursday, but the number of officers is normal.

Police said the county’s 911 system is not affected. The fire department is also using a backup system.

Red Cross: Disaster Plan Essential For Survival

The American Red Cross said it has plans in plans to help victims prepare before something like the fire that happened at the Kettering Tower.

The employees of the 52 businesses housed in the building and their bosses watched as investigators piece together what happened. Although some of the law offices, accounting firms and investment groups did have a safety plan in place.

Susan Sparks, director of Health and Safety for the Dayton chapter of the Red Cross said no business should risk operating without a disaster plan.

For more information on how businesses can prepare employees and clients to respond to possible hazards and provide help, contact the Red Cross at 222-0124.