A DECISION to demolish the former Chicago Rock pub was reluctant but necessary, a council boss has told the Chronicle.
The iconic Grade II listed building was gutted by fire last Thursday and is at imminent risk of collapse.
The roof has fallen in, bringing the upper floors of the building crashing down to ground level, exposing the cast iron steel beams supporting the remaining brickwork.
David Shepherd, council boss for economic development and regeneration, said the decision to demolish was taken reluctantly but was necessary to ensure public safety.
The owner, a London-based property firm, has arranged with a contractor to move plant vehicles on site today for work to begin as soon as possible in order to bring the structure down to ground level and remove any threat of collapse.
Mr Shepherd said: "There is a fair bit of preparation needed, plant to get to the site and putting their own fencing around the site so they can undertake the demolition.
"We appointed a structural engineer and they undertook an assessment and advised us to their position in terms of the building and that makes me confident it cannot be saved - unfortunately that is.
"We desperately wanted to save the building or at least elements of it but the problem we have got is there is no safe way of doing that.
"In order to prop up the facades you would have to go inside and that would be putting the demolition person at significant risk."
He said the likely method of demolition - due to the unpredictable nature of the structure - would be to start knocking the building in on itself.
"There is a lot of brickwork at a high level supported by beams that are not necessarily well supported," he said.
"What we have observed is masonry and part of the building falling while our technical officers have been on site.
"My concern is time is of the essence.
"Reluctantly we have to agree with the building's owner about demolition."
Mr Shepherd said Historic England wants to save iconic aspects of the building.
"They are interested in the ornate ironwork facades and the small tower at the top and would want them to remain in situ.
"But they appreciate we have to make a decision to allow the owner to demolish but, if able to, for some of those elements to be retained for future use."
He said remains of bodies buried more than 200 years ago laying beneath the charred ruins will not impact on the demolition process as it will be 'above surface'.
A joint investigation between the fire service and South Yorkshire Police is ongoing.
