Nov. 12, 2010
Quick Actions by Autism Services, Huntington Fire Department Prevents Possible Damage to Downtown Icon
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – A few years ago --- 2001 to be exact --- a blaze erupted in Kaufman Jewelers, which is a retail establishment on the left front portion of the 1928 Thomas Lamb designed Keith Albee Theatre, 925 Fourth Avenue. At that time the building suffered smoke damage, but it was aggressive and quick action that stopped the blaze. More than one professional stated by paraphrase, “We almost lost the Keith.”
When workers for Autism Service Center reported for work Thursday morning, Nov. 11 at about 8:30 a.m., heavy smoke filled their offices, which are on the second and third floors of the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. No one wasted time; 911 was called. As a result, the employees were working in their offices an hour later.
Apparently, a lighted cigarette fell through a vent and caught leaves on fire. Once the leaves ignited, smoke began making its way through heating system vents.
Huntington Firefighters isolated the smoke to the theatre’s cavernous basement, eliminating a threat to the upper floors. That’s good news because the 2001 blaze closed the main auditorium for about three months.
Huntington Fire Chief C. Craig Moore cautioned that many fires start from lighted cigarettes. It’s a good reason not to smoke. It’s dejecting to imagine that a careless cigarette could have resulted in major damage to the irreplaceable theatre, one of the few survivors of an era when motion picture palaces resembled European castles and other grandiose imaginings, such as the Keith’s Spanish garden and atmospheric theme.
As a touch of irony, the Autism Services Center has been an “angel” by providing financial resources through its renting office space in the grand old lady. However, the Keith has an autism connection , too. When the movie “Rain Maker” was in production, the son of the Autism Services Center director, Ruth Sullivan, served as a model for Dustin Hoffman to study. Later, the filmmakers, including Hoffman, premiered the film at the Keith Albee. For additional details about the historic theatre, click: http://cinematreasures.org/theater/676/
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Quick Actions by Autism Services, Huntington Fire Department Prevents Possible Damage to Downtown Icon
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – A few years ago --- 2001 to be exact --- a blaze erupted in Kaufman Jewelers, which is a retail establishment on the left front portion of the 1928 Thomas Lamb designed Keith Albee Theatre, 925 Fourth Avenue. At that time the building suffered smoke damage, but it was aggressive and quick action that stopped the blaze. More than one professional stated by paraphrase, “We almost lost the Keith.”
When workers for Autism Service Center reported for work Thursday morning, Nov. 11 at about 8:30 a.m., heavy smoke filled their offices, which are on the second and third floors of the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. No one wasted time; 911 was called. As a result, the employees were working in their offices an hour later.
Apparently, a lighted cigarette fell through a vent and caught leaves on fire. Once the leaves ignited, smoke began making its way through heating system vents.
Huntington Firefighters isolated the smoke to the theatre’s cavernous basement, eliminating a threat to the upper floors. That’s good news because the 2001 blaze closed the main auditorium for about three months.
Huntington Fire Chief C. Craig Moore cautioned that many fires start from lighted cigarettes. It’s a good reason not to smoke. It’s dejecting to imagine that a careless cigarette could have resulted in major damage to the irreplaceable theatre, one of the few survivors of an era when motion picture palaces resembled European castles and other grandiose imaginings, such as the Keith’s Spanish garden and atmospheric theme.
As a touch of irony, the Autism Services Center has been an “angel” by providing financial resources through its renting office space in the grand old lady. However, the Keith has an autism connection , too. When the movie “Rain Maker” was in production, the son of the Autism Services Center director, Ruth Sullivan, served as a model for Dustin Hoffman to study. Later, the filmmakers, including Hoffman, premiered the film at the Keith Albee. For additional details about the historic theatre, click: http://cinematreasures.org/theater/676/
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Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
