Monroe Fire District 3 officials released specifics of the Sept. 22 Monroe Play House condemnation, detailing the violations that made it "unfit for public assembly."
Included in the documents was correspondence between fire officials about the theater and inspection reports.
During a routine inspection, fire prevention inspectors noted a good deal of extension cords and power strips, the existence of flammable fabrics, combustible decorative materials, stored flammable liquids, blocked exits "and more," according to inspection records.
The building was closed in the middle of a production of the play, "The Wrestling Season," and the theater company had to go elsewhere for the last several shows.
The group had been leasing the Monroe Play House on a short-term basis when firefighters inspected the building in July.
At the time, fire officials produced a list of problems, which were corrected, said Take a Bough Productions co-producer Greg Norgaard.
But Norgaard said when firefighters returned on Sept. 22 to make sure the other problems had been addressed, they uncovered additional fire and safety hazards.
Take a Bough Productions immediately moved everything out of the 50-seat playhouse and is now rehearsing at a Monroe bookstore.
The company will continue to rehearse and perform despite being without a playhouse, thanks to several local donors and Monroe’s two other community theater companies, Off the Wall Productions and Last Leaf Productions.
"What’s important as far as we’re doing is how we’re continuing on," Norgaard said.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick:
425-339-3429 or
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