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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend September 25, 2006 Fire causes theater evacuation By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Moviegoers at Tinseltown in Medford were evacuated after a restroom fire filled the theatre with smoke and set off the building's sprinkler system late Sunday afternoon. Someone torched the toilet -paper holder in the men's restroom, which created enough fire and heat to set off the sprinkler system, said Captain Fred LaBrasseur of Medford Fire Station 3. The perpetrator will be charged with arson if the individual is apprehended, he said. "Nobody was hurt, but that was lucky," LaBrasseur said, adding there were about 500 people in front of the theatre when he and his crews arrived. "People can sometimes panic when they evacuate. Sometimes that can create even more injuries than the fire." Employees of the theatre were not allowed to discuss the extent of damage caused by the fire or whether customers were being compensated for the movies they missed. Advertisement Ian Bezzant and Makenzie Madsen of Ashland said they received "rain checks" when their chosen film, "The Last Kiss," come to a smoky stop just after 5 p.m. "Everything went black," said Bezzant. "We saw a little flash and somebody yelled 'Fire!' " "There was a lot of smoke and it smelled like fire," said Madsen. However, both Bezzant and Madsen agreed the crowd was "calm and orderly" during the evacuation process. "There was no pushing or shoving," said Bezzant. Tom Hyrup of Central Point was taking a stroll with his dog, Gizmo, when customers began streaming out the entrances. Hyrup said the crowd seemed "pretty lackadaisical" considering it was clear the theatre was experiencing some sort of problem. "I noticed it was a little smoky as they were coming out the doors," he said. An hour after the 5:05 p.m. call came in, fire crews continued to attack the wet smokey mess with squeegees, ladders and wrenches, while Medford police began their criminal investigation of the crime scene. Dozens of customers who had either been in the theater at the time of the fire or those arriving expecting to see a show were still milling around trying to make sense of what had happened. Angie Anders of Medford said she and her friends had expected to view the movie "Jackass 2" until someone "pulled their own in the bathroom." The theater will remain closed until the smoke and water damage are cleaned up and the sprinkler system is back in operation, said LaBrasseur. "This was really a costly prank," said LaBrasseur. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to comment on this article. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary