September 21, 2008 Demolition crews implode Miami Arena Play video

(NECN/ABC) - They brought the house down one last time at the old Miami Arena Sunday morning.

Black plumes of smoke could be seen as demolition crews imploded the arena's roof.

At 8:06 a.m. explosive charges placed around the roofline detonated collapsing the roof onto the structure.

The impact was expected to bring down sections of the walls but when the smoke cleared huge chunks of the walls were still standing.

Twenty years ago the brand new Miami Arena was in its glory days serving the city's new franchise basketball and hockey teams the Miami Heat and Panthers.

Eventually the Panthers left and then the Heat followed in 2000.

Because of its short useful period people started referring to the arena as the "Pink Elephant."