The fire was largely contained in the backstage area of the theater, where it caused extensive damage. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
A plastic garbage container melted in the fire. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Fire inspectors check out the scene. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Melted material litters the backstage area. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Wood for set construction had recently been delivered, which provided ready fuel for the fire. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Tools, sets and building materials were damaged. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Smoke and water damaged the control area for the curtains and sets. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Tools and materials lie in a charred heap. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
The stage and seated area of the theater was largely untouched by fire but damaged by water and smoke. (UWM 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.
