Flames, thick smoke, mark final curtain for historic Edmonton theatre

EDMONTON — A historic entertainment venue in Edmonton that traced its roots back to the late 1930s has been destroyed by fire.

Flames erupted overnight in the Roxy Theatre, sending thick clouds of smoke into the air.

The building was engulfed when firefighters arrived at the scene in a west-central neighbourhood, and a second alarm was quickly declared.

The building’s walls eventually collapsed, but there are no reports of injuries.

The theatre was built in 1938 as a cinema, but was converted to a live-performance venue in the late 1980s.

The Theatre Network, which owns the Roxy, had been celebrating its 40th season as a company.

The Roxy’s next performance series show, Cheerleader!, was to open for a 10-day run this Thursday. (CHED)