FIRE IN CINEMA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21818, 22 November 1940, Page 4

FIRE IN CINEMA

Suspicious Circumstances WELLINGTON, November 21. Fire, which has become the subject of police investigation, did damage to the Kilbirnie cinema this afternoon and prevented a screening being given to-night. Tire theatre will be reop—"d to the public to-morrow night. It is thought that some boys who were playing about the theatre this afternoon may have caused the fire but the investigations had not been concluded to-night. There was no performance at the theatre this afternoon, but a young woman member of the staff was on duty in the office about 4.15 p.m. She smelt fire and gave the alarm. Three engines responded. When the firemen arrived the fire, which had apnar—'Uy started at the back of the circle, had spread to the back wall and ceiling but was Immediately suppressed with one lead of hose. The damage was confined to a section of seats numbering 50 or 60 and to the rear- wall. Curtains and decorations were destroyed and smoke affected other parts of the interior, but waterproof sheets which the brigadesmen spread prevented further damaged. No structural damage was done and the projection booth and electrical equipment were not affected.