'Cats' opening evacuated by gas leak
The
opening night performance of "Cats" by the
Bonners Ferry Summer Youth Theatre was
interrupted last night by a fire alarm, which
forced the evacuation of the Becker Auditorium
and the cancellation of the rest of the show.Those attending the premiere were told they'll be admitted for free to tonight's final performance to see the rest of the show.
The high school fire alarm went off at 8:50 p.m., shortly into the second act of the performance. A Bonners Ferry Police officer took the stage and ordered the evacuation as a precaution.
Initially, artistic director David Carpenter thought the interruption would be brief and the show would resume, but as audience and cast continued to wait, he decided to send everyone home, inviting audience members to the Friday performance.
According to Bonners Ferry Fire Chief Pat Warkentin, this was the second alarm at the high school in two days fire crews had responded to. On Wednesday, no problems were found and it was assumed it was either a false or faulty alarm; on Thursday night, he said, crews found a natural gas leak in a water heater located in the mechanical room, which sits above portion of the auditorium and gym.
School officials were advised of the leak, Warkentin said, and maintenance personnel came in to make repairs, but a second leak was discovered in a gas line entering the building, and an Avista crew from Sandpoint had to be called in and repairs made.
Fire crews finally cleared the scene at 10:47 p.m.
According to one audience member, the cast was not only spectacular on stage, but performed admirably following the evacuation as well.
"Ben Hart and Charena Branscum were on stage doing their bit when the police officer walked up on stage and announced the evacuation," said Sommer Kahanek, whose daughter, Meggie, plays a mouse. "We never heard any alarms in the auditorium. Charena and Ben directed from stage where the exits were, very calm and poised. After we were outside, the rest of the cast were right outside the doors, directing us to the parking lot. They were all so mature and responsible."
Tonight's performance of "Cats" begins at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m.