Fire engulfs Roseway Theater

By Beth Stove | The Rose Cityian/Rose City Live

A three-alarm fire at the historic Roseway Theater on Sandy Boulevard sent smoke billowing across Northeast Rose City on Saturday morning.

Lt. Al Simmons, a spokesperson for Rose City Fire & Rescue, said the floor inside the 7,000-square-foot movie theater partially collapsed, preventing firefighters from battling the blaze from the inside. Instead, they worked to extinguish the fire, and prevent its spread to neighboring businesses on the 7200 block of Sandy Boulevard, from the outside.

By 9:45 a.m., firefighters had knocked down most of the fire, Simmons said, but falling wood and debris were expected to trap embers and hot spots inside the building.

“That means this fire will be burning for a long time,” said Simmons, likening the structure to a smoldering fireplace. “It will roll and burn for a long time.”

Rose City firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire at the Roseway Theater on Sandy Boulevard on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022.

Simmons encouraged residents in the area to close their windows, especially as winds may shift later in the day. They should also expect heavy runoff in local streets, although city crews were on site to help contain the water. Workers have secured gas and electrical lines in the area, Simmons said.

A total of 80 to 85 firefighters responded after the first call about the fire at 5:48 a.m. Saturday. Simmons said there were no injuries. “We don’t believe anyone was inside,” he said.

A call to the theater’s owner, Ed Wood, wasn’t immediately returned. Information about a possible cause won’t come for days or weeks, Simmons said.