ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Several local agencies are responding to a fire at the Bonifas Arts Center.
There were initial reports of smoke inside the building around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. Escanaba Public Safety responded to the scene, followed quickly by the Delta County Sheriff’s Department, the Ford River Township Fire Department, the City of Escanaba Electric Department, the Michigan State Police, and UPHS EMS.
Around 11:00 p.m., a reporter on the scene heard firefighters alert others that there were flames inside the Bonifas. Crews quickly began readying hoses. The majority of the response was centered around the theater. Public Safety officials say the fire was located and extinguished, and they then focused on evacuating the smoke and salvaging the building.
As of 12:15 a.m., crews were still at the scene and First Avenue South was closed to traffic. According to members of Players de Noc, who perform in the theater, no one was in the building at the time of the fire.
WZMQ 19 is seeking more information and will update this story as it develops. To see footage of the scene, visit our Facebook page.
