Theater Sustains Minimal Damage

Fire officials say the sustained minimal smoke and water damage during a late afternoon blaze that began in the small upstairs apartment.

Capt. Mark Bagley said crews were called to the historic downtown structure at 5:42 p.m. Sunday and arrived within 3 minutes to find smoke showing. Within a short time, Bagley said firefighters saw flames from a window, but completely extinguished the fire within 10 minutes of arrival.

The blaze began in the 114-B W. Main St. residence and was contained to the room of origin. That room and its contents were burned and the rest of the apartment sustained heat and smoke damage.

The single occupant was not home when the fire began, but firefighters rescued three cats which are now in the care of . No one was injured during the incident.

Bagley said two fire investigators responded to the scene, but the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

is home to the Pumphouse Players, a long-running, local acting group that refurbished the 1930s movie theater with an art deco facade. It now serves as a live performance venue.

On the group's Facebook page, Pumphouse Players said the ceiling over the front half of the lobby sustained the water damage.

"There is hope that we can continue with our season, but we may have to revert to using the side door again while the ceiling is replaced," the status update said. "Shows utilizing the lobby for rehearsals should find other locations until notified by Dave Boggess."

The next production, Tradin' Paint, opens July 22. Pumphouse Players say it will continue as planned.

Read more from the group about the fire and see photographs of the scene here.