3 weeks ago
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PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A historical theatre successful Porterville is coming down aft a occurrence ravaged the gathering past February.
On Feb. 16, a man astir died aft allegedly starting a occurrence successful the Porter Theatre. He was rescued, but by the clip occurrence crews were capable to extinguish the flames, the harm was irreparable.
Demolition began Tuesday.
The Porter Theatre primitively opened successful 1949 and began operating arsenic a movie location successful 1950. It served the assemblage until its closure successful 1997.
Before the fire, metropolis officials accidental they had hoped to reconstruct the theatre to its archetypal glory.
"There was anticipation that the gathering could beryllium repurposed and proceed serving aboriginal generations, honoring the practice and memories it had instilled successful the past of our community, but unfortunately, the occurrence harm was excessively terrible to salvage the building," Assistant City Manager Michael Knight said.
While the gathering is expected to beryllium afloat leveled by June 6, Knight says a portion of its bequest volition unrecorded on.
"In a motion of respect for the community's shared history, the spot proprietor has announced plans to salvage the letters from the historical theatre sign, thereby preserving a portion of the building’s nostalgic legacy," Knight said.
