A FIRE at a 100-year-old former hospital chapel now used as a theatre and arts base would have been much worse if it hadn t been for a quick-thinking member of staff. Two fire crews were sent to the Trestle Arts Base in Russet Drive, St Albans, at around
A FIRE at a 100-year-old former hospital chapel now used as a theatre and arts base would have been much worse if it hadn't been for a quick-thinking member of staff.
Two fire crews were sent to the Trestle Arts Base in Russet Drive, St Albans, at around 9am yesterday (Wednesday) morning where they found a lamp had overheated and started a fire in the lobby.
It had been accidentally left on overnight and the heat ignited some nearby clothing.
The woman who opened up the theatre in the morning discovered the fire and raised the alarm before using a carbon dioxide extinguisher to douse the flames.
A St Albans firefighter praised her actions which he said had helped to minimise the damage caused to the building.
Firefighters used ventilation equipment to disperse the smoke and left the scene at around 9.50am.
General manager Natalie Richardson said the fire blackened a wall but aside from that there was not much damage and repairs would not be expensive.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here