A local performance theater burned down overnight.
According to their Facebook page, the Triumvirate Theatre burned down overnight. The building is reportedly a total loss. Nikiski Fire Chief Bryan Crisp spoke to KSRM, “We got a call at 3:17 this morning of a commercial structure fire that was called in by a passerby going down the Kenai Spur Highway. When we got on location, the theatre was fully involved, the whole backside was fully involved. We had three tankers from Nikiski, plus myself Chief 1 and Chief 2 and we had a total, between full-time and volunteers, we had about 23 people from Nikiski on the fire. We auto aided Kenai engine 3 at the time with two personnel. Later once the roof started to collapse, we called in mutual aid for Kenai’s ladder truck with two additional personnel. It’s a non-hydrogen area, so we had to do tanker shuttles, so we needed more water so we mutual aided a tanker from CES and their Chief showed up on scene. The crews are still out there right now, putting out a few hot spots from the collapse. We have the Deputy Fire Marshal down here to do interviews and it is still under investigation at this time.”
No one was in the theatre at the time of the blaze.
Alaska State Troopers, in their report, state that a commercial building fire fully engulfed a building near mile 16 of the Kenai Spur Highway. Fire personnel from Nikiski, Kenai and Soldotna responded. Initial estimates place losses near $500,000. The fire origin is yet to be determined and still under investigation by the state Fire Marshall’s Office.
A statement on the theatre’s Facebook page said, “The Triumvirate Theatre board is indescribably cheered by the outpouring of well wishes, pledges to volunteer and offers to donate. It means so much to us. Obviously, we haven’t had time as a board to meet today and discuss a way forward but will be doing so in the next day or two. Meanwhile, we thank everyone for their heartfelt support and ask that you stand by for further information on how you can help. We will gratefully accept your donations but we ask that you hold off until we put a plan in place as to how those donations will be used to help Triumvirate Theatre overcome this disastrous fire and provide performing arts opportunities to the community again.
As is stated on our website (under About Triumvirate Theatre), the building is owned by North Road Properties, an entity created to house the theatre’s activities. North Road Properties does carry insurance on the building. We are meeting with our insurance agent on Monday to go over North Road Properties’ policy in regard to rebuilding. We will also go over Triumvirate Theatre’s policy in regards to coverage of the theatre’s equipment, furnishings, artwork, etc. We as a board want to move forward in an organized and transparent way to marshal the generosity and good will of our community in rebuilding the theatre and continuing our mission of providing the performing arts for actors and audiences of all ages. More information will be forthcoming shortly. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and community spirit.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.