A fire at the Hippodrome Theatre in Derby was successfully contained by the original stage curtain, even though the building has not been used as a theatre for some years.
According to the Evening Telegraph in Derby, the fire broke out in the orchestra pit, but the curtain stopped the blaze spreading to the rest of the auditorium. Nevertheless, six fire crews spent several hours fighting the fire, though damage was limited to the orchestra pit area which was behind the fire curtain.
The Grade-II listed building was most recently used as a bingo hall, and last year was sold to a developer.
