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Broadway devastated by major arson blaze
AN arson probe is under way after fire raged through the Broadway Theatre in Peterborough on Sunday, badly damaging the stage, the front rows of seats and vital equipment.
AN arson probe is under way after fire raged through the Broadway Theatre in Peterborough on Sunday, badly damaging the stage, the front rows of seats and vital equipment.It is a major blow to the theatre, and with repair work expected to take months, many star shows have had to be cancelled.
The fire is believed to have broken out following a break-in by thieves, who took several computers.
Police today described the fire as "suspicious" after a dog team was brought in yesterday from the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service to help detect any substances arsonists may have used to ignite the blaze. The investigation is still ongoing today.
Five fire crews were called to the theatre at about 1.30am yesterday, after a passer-by saw smoke billowing from the building and dialled 999.
After struggling through the heavily smoke-logged building, firefighters discovered the blaze in a basement area, and it took several hours to bring it under control.
The inferno destroyed the stage, the three front rows of seating and equipment, while smoke has left the building's plush auditorium coated in ash.
Owner Rinaldo Fasulo, who bought the former cinema in 2004 and launched it as a major live act venue, was too upset to talk.
However, theatre manager Dave King said: "Everybody's absolutely devastated. It's not just a blow to us, but also to Peterborough.
"The Broadway is a prime entertainment centre for Peterborough and this has really put us back, after it's taken four years to build up the business.
"It's too early to say the cost of the damage but there's an awful lot – the smoke damage is unbelievable. We're going to have to take stock of where we are and rebuild, but that will take time, probably four to six months."
Related:
Factfile: The Broadway Theatre: 9m turned old cinema into theatre.
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Today, the 26 firefighters who battled to save the building from total devastation have been praised.
Operational support team leader Lynn Betteridge, the duty officer at the time of the fire, said: "The professionalism and skill of the crews prevented this being a total loss of the building."
Detectives were working with fire investigation officers yesterday to try to determine the cause of the fire.
Det Sgt Adam Fraser, from Thorpe Wood police station, said: "We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone who saw other people acting suspiciously or vehicles being driven in the area."
The last performance at the 1,200-seat theatre was a sell-out show by comedian Jimmy Carr on Friday night.
Shows are booked to run at the theatre up until November, and the early ones will be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date. Among the acts who were set to perform were musician Jools Holland, X Factor's Rhydian, and comedians Ross Noble and Rob Brydon.
Mr King said customers who have already bought tickets for forthcoming performances will be informed and reimbursed.
Anyone who has bought tickets for forthcoming shows should call the box office on 01733 316100.
Anyone with information should call police on 0845 456 4564.
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Weather for Peterborough
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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