Three weeks ago, a five-alarm blaze called 150 firefighters to battle a raging inferno on Piquette Street. When it was all over, an entire city block of Detroit's New Center was destroyed.

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Stench Rages In Detroit's New Center After Fire

Now, residents around Piquette Street are saying the smell from the fire and rotting meat from the burned-down Piquette Market is overwhelming. But officials told Local 4 the clean up is on hold.

"It smells like something's dead," said resident Terri Martin.

The aftermath is attracting flies, rodent and curious onlookers.

"The smell was the first thing we noticed," said Jeremy Campbell, who was taking pictures around the area.

Detroit's City Building and Safety Department said it's waiting for Detroit fire investigators to finish investigating a cause before the clean up can begin.

The smell from what's left of the old Studebaker plant and other destroyed buildings is so strong that even Martin's car is filled with the odor.

The Building and Safety Department was hoping to get answers Thursday as to when the investigation was complete and the clean up could begin. Meanwhile, the overwhelming stench continues with steamy temperatures making the smell even more pungent.