City officials in Gainesville have approved demolition of a building at the site of one of the nation's deadliest tornadoes 76 years ago.

A local architect says human remains might still be buried there, and he says an archaeological investigation is needed.

The Times of Gainesville reports that several factory workers were killed when the tornado tore through the town on April 6, 1936.

Architect Garland Reynolds Jr. is asking the city council to authorize the archaeological study. He also proposed that the city-owned land be turned into a park to memorialize the tragedy.

The tornado collapsed the roof of the Cooper Pants Factory, touching off a fire that killed up to 125 workers who were trapped inside. Some bodies were never identified.

City crews could start demolition this week.

Tags: Gainesville, tornado, Demolition, architect, historic