Officials now confirm they recovered human remains from the ashes of the Maitland Opera House fire in Maitland August 24.

Sheriff Scott Wedlock says the “forensic material” recovered this week was in fact the bones and soft tissue from a human body.

But Sheriff Wedlock says they cannot yet determine the identity.

“Unfortunately, without further DNA testing, we cannot confirm that it would be that of any individual,” Wedlock said in an interview.

“Once we send something to the lab, we’re on their timeframe. We’ve asked for them to assist as quickly as they can, but it could be anywhere from two to four weeks. It’s possible they can’t confirm the identity, due to the condition of the material.”

Investigators found the evidence August 27. It was sent to Frontier Forensics in Kansas City, Kansas. That lab will continue its investigation in hopes of identifying the remains.

The fire destroyed the opera house at 218 South 2nd Street. It was more than 100 years old. Part of the facility had been converted into a nightclub recently, but the club’s liquor license has since expired.

The owner, Kenneth Rainwater, 66, turned up missing at the time of the fire, and there has been widespread speculation that he perished in the blaze. Rainwater had only recently been released on bond as he awaited trial on charges of possession of child pornography.