Fall River fire crews battled a massive fire that destroyed former Royal Theater
FALL RIVER — A smoky blaze destroyed an empty Brightman Street structure on Tuesday evening that once housed the Royal Theater, a vaudeville theater and movie house, but firefighters were able to save nearby residences — one that was just 10 feet away from the fire.
On Wednesday morning, fire crews, fire investigators from the State Police and State Fire Marshal's Office and city building officials were still on scene at what was left of the structure that continued to smolder.
During the fire, smoke from the massive blaze permeated the city.
According to The Herald News archives, the building was built in 1896, and was initially known as the Pastime Theater.
Fall River Fire Department received a call regarding the fire around 5:16 p.m. on Tuesday and crews were able knock it down more than three hours later, according to Fall Rive Fire Chief Roger St. Martin.
Because the building was abandoned and the amount of fire involved in the interior, St. Martin said the firefighters were ordered out of the building.
“It’s a building that has been abandoned for a while and we didn’t push the guys in too far,” said St. Martin. “We’ve done pre-plans of that building in the past mostly because of the proximity of the buildings. A whole side of the building has exposed buildings on the side of it.”
St. Martin said the structure did not have any gas or electric service at the time of the fire.
Residents in nearby buildings evacuated
Two nearby multi-unit structures were evacuated Tuesday night and one of the apartment buildings suffered water and smoke damage.
St. Martin said about 15 people were evacuated and the Red Cross was called to assist.
“I will say the guys did a phenomenal job keeping the fire away from the adjoining buildings,” said St. Martin, adding that the former three-story theater was taller than the adjoining structures.
Challenges with close buildings in neighborhood
The fire at the old theater that also operated as a casket company at some point, was a tricky one, said St. Martin because of the proximity of the neighboring structures and the train tracks in the back challenged access to fire apparatus.
St. Martin said in all 14 pieces of fire apparatus were called to the scene, and three trucks remained on scene on Wednesday morning.
In addition to FRFD response, St. Martin said crews from Tiverton, Westport and Freetown manned the city’s fire stations, answering other calls that came in during the firefight.
Crews from Somerset and Swansea also responded to assist with the fire at the scene.
What’s left will be removed
Fall River Inspector of Buildings Glenn Hathaway was on scene Wednesday morning and said that the fire department still had custody of the scene, but that the fire had destroyed the building.
“I’m seeing a burnt-out shell of a building,” said Hathaway. “There is an ability that the remaining walls could collapse into neighboring properties that we have to get laid down. The problem is getting it out of here.”
Hathaway said one of the two neighboring buildings was evacuated with minor smoke damage because the power was out and the structure had no fire protection.
The second building, Hathaway said, had water damage from the fire department working to keep it from catching fire.
“Some of the people stayed with relatives and one man was assisted by the Red Cross,” said Hathaway.
Building changed hands 1 1/2 years ago
According to Herald News archives, the Royal was built in 1896, and was initially known as the Pastime Theater. "During the silent film days, movies were shown with live piano accompaniment — and before then, live vaudeville shows. It was known for its Saturday matinees and "ladies' night" dish giveaways," as mentioned in a January Herald News article about the former theater being listed for sale.
According to the Fall River Registry of Deeds and the Massachusetts corporation database, the building is owned by Scott Bazinet. He owns Total Security Technology on Duluth Street in Fall River, according to the state corporation database.
The deed transfer occurred in April 2022 and previously under receivership. The registry indicates Bazinet purchased the property for $10,000.
In January of this year, The Herald News reported that the 5,000-square-foot property was on the market for sale. Realtor Keller Williams South Watuppa listed the building at 277 Brightman St. for $260,000.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fire destroys former Royal Theater on Brightman Street
