Flagler Playhouse destroyed in overnight fire
The historic Flagler Playhouse was destroyed early Monday morning after a fire ripped through the structure in Bunnell.
Flagler County Fire Rescue responded to reports of a structure fire at the theater around 10 p.m. Sunday.
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When crews first arrived they reported seeing heavy black smoke coming from the eaves and an active fire in the rear of the building, according to fire officials.
Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker said crews initially attacked the fire from the inside but within 10 minutes, the conditions deteriorated, and for safety reasons crews exited the building and went into defensive mode from the outside to contain the fire and prevent its spread.
“It took us about 6 hours to declare the fire ‘out,’” Tucker said.
Fire officials said of the four buildings on the property, two were destroyed, including the theater itself, and two were saved, including the offices.
Crews from Flagler County Fire Rescue, Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler Beach Fire Department and Ormond Beach Fire Department worked to put out the fire.
Officials said the cause of the fire has not been determined, and the state fire marshall will investigate.
The Flagler Playhouse was constructed in 1957 and was once home to the First Baptist Bunnell.
According to the Flagler Playhouse website, the theater purchased the former First Baptist Church building in 2005.
The staff provided acting classes and had plans to kick off their 2023-24 season this Friday with a performance of “The Play that Goes Wrong.”
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