Historic Art Deco Theater In San Lorenzo Heavily Damaged By Fire
SAN LORENZO (CBS SF) -- Firefighters in the unincorporated Alameda County community of San Lorenzo were able to put out the fire burning at the historic Lorenzo Theater Friday evening, but not before the structure was seriously damaged.
The Alameda County Fire Department said that around 9 p.m. the fire was mostly extinguished but several hot spots remained. More than 40 firefighters were on the scene trying to save the historic building.
Drone video shot by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office showed the roof of the 73-year-old building mostly burned through.
"Crews will be rotating through the night for fire watch," the county fire department said via its Twitter account.
The Alameda County Fire Department got the call regarding the fire at 16080 Hesperian Boulevard in San Lorenzo at about 5:30 p.m.
Twitter account first tweeted about the fire shortly after 6 p.m. The department said crews were moving apparatus out of possible collapse zones.
The account later posted video showing firefighters fighting defensive fire from the building's exterior.
The public is being advised to avoid the area.
According to its website, the Lorenzo Theater was opened in 1947. The 700-seat, single screen theater has a classic art deco style to its facade.
The nonprofit organization Lorenzo Theater Foundation was formed in 1999 to work for its preservation and restoration.
The 73-year-old theater closed in 1982, according to cinematreasures.org, which also says the theater was designated as a California Historic Resource in 2001.
