The fire was largely contained in the backstage area of the theater, where it caused extensive damage. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
A plastic garbage container melted in the fire. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
Fire inspectors check out the scene. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
Melted material litters the backstage area. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
Wood for set construction had recently been delivered, which provided ready fuel for the fire. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
Tools, sets and building materials were damaged. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
Smoke and water damaged the control area for the curtains and sets. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
Tools and materials lie in a charred heap. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
The stage and seated area of the theater was largely untouched by fire but damaged by water and smoke. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Pete Amland)
Cleanup and reconstruction work began in earnest not long after fire caused more than $1 million damage to the theater building at UW-Milwaukee late Saturday, April 8.
The accidental fire appears to have started in the set/scenery area behind the stage of the theater.
The theater building likely won’t reopen until fall. The adjacent music and art buildings sustained lesser damage, from smoke and water and will reopen sooner.
