The electrical fire at the Theatre of Western Springs Tuesday caused more than $100,000 in damage, according to the theater director.
Eddie Sugarman, executive director, said there was an arc of electricity inside the power box on the lower level of the building at 4384 Hampton Ave., caused by wear and tear on the electrical conduit into the building and probably water that had worked its way into the conduit over time.
The damage estimate includes work being done to repair the electrical system and clean the theater, which had both smoke and soot damage, Sugarman said.
“The first priority is safety,” he said.
A decision won’t be made until Sunday or Monday whether “Nunsense” will open as planned Sept. 7.
The fire was discovered about 4 p.m. Tuesday. It forced the evacuation of about 135 people, including children and parents at a meeting for a children’s class. No one was injured.
More Top Picks Mixer
“We’re very fortunate that we don’t have any structural or flame damage,” he said. “What we have is soot and smoke and a really delightful smell and yes, I am being sarcastic,” he said.
Children’s classes were canceled for the day after the fire and rescheduled for another facility.
The children’s program has about 200 in it. The theater has 1,600 subscribers and about 275 volunteers.
Twitter @triblocalam