Todmorden Edwardian theatre has small roof fire but damage was limited

A fire in the roof space of the Hippodrome Theatre in Todmorden was extinguished in about an hour on Tuesday, with crews reporting around 10% of the roof affected and mainly water damage to the auditorium.

Staff at the volunteer-run Hippodrome Theatre in Todmorden report relief after a fire was swiftly contained in the historic building. The fire service was called at 15:54 GMT on Tuesday and crews were on site within minutes. The Hippodrome opened in 1908 and has been run by the Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (TAODS) since the 1950s; the society purchased the building in the 1980s. The theatre is currently carrying out a large extension funded by the Todmorden Town Deal. Key facts: - West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews found a fire involving around 10% of the three-storey building's roof space on arrival. - Firefighters took about an hour to extinguish the blaze after being called at 15:54 GMT. - Staff said the auditorium has some damage but that it is mainly water damage and condensation. - The Hippodrome is volunteer-run and was saved from closure by TAODS; the society later purchased the building. - The theatre is undergoing a £2.1m extension funded by the Todmorden Town Deal to add foyer, rehearsal, performance and exhibition spaces. - The cause of the fire has not been established, and staff said it was not being linked to the construction work. Summary: Damage was contained mainly to a portion of the roof space and to water damage in the auditorium, and crews credited a rapid response. Staff and volunteers said repair assessments and discussions with their insurer are under way, and they expect the building work and planned events to continue as scheduled.