By David Grossman

According to Fitchburg Deputy Fire Chief Brian Belliveau of the Fitchburg Fire Department, at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 15 the department received a call about a fire at 60 Wallace Ave. – the landmark, converted barn that was the home of The Stratton Players.

    Approximately 15 residents in a nearby high rise building located a 54 Wallace Ave. were exposed to the flames and were evacuated as a precaution. Since it was a hot day, residents had windows and screens open so smoke quickly filled their apartments. According to Belliveau, firefighters from Leominster and Westminster assisted in the evacuation, and the Ayer, Ashby and Lunenburg Fire Departments assisted Fitchburg firefighters in quelling the flames and remained on the scene until approximately 7 p.m.

    Although the cause of the two-alarm fire remains under investigation, the building and contents of the playhouse have been destroyed. Damage is estimated to be $103,000 for the property and $60,000 for the contents.

    “We will rebuild or restore,” said Janet Cragin, current Chairman of the Board. “This is our 87th season and we will move on. We will have to use different facilities for a while.”

    She continued, “The outpouring of help has been overwhelming. The New Players Theatre Guild of Fitchburg, Applewild and Mount Wachusett have volunteered to share facilities [with us] for a while.”

    Cragin said the fire will not affect the current production of Postcards: A Festival of Short Plays which is scheduled to begin Friday, July 22 and run through Friday, July 29. It will be performed at Percival Hall at Fitchburg State University.

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