Fire damages Speech/Drama Building

The Denton Fire Department received an alarm at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 regarding a fire in the UNT Speech and Drama Building. The fire originated on the stage of the University Theatre, where it remained contained until it was extinguished.

The building, which is currently under renovation, was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire is unknown. The fire department, in cooperation with UNT's Office of Risk Management and Environmental Services, is currently investigating.

Two fire safety devices — a fire curtain at the front of the stage and smoke vents in the roof of the tower — deployed and prevented the fire from spreading to the auditorium portion of the theater.

The full extent and cost of the damage to the building is unknown at this time. However, damage to the building is known to include the fire curtain, stage floor, plaster on the back concrete-block wall and theatrical lighting structures in the hollow tower above the stage. Construction materials, 144 boxed lecture-hall seats, 300-400 shelves and 80 doors, which were under construction or being stored on the stage, also were either damaged or destroyed. Other parts of the building sustained smoke and water damage.

The fire interrupted the broadcast signal for KNTU — UNT's 100,000-watt student-run radio station — because an audio wire for the antenna on the roof either burned or melted.

Renovations, which began in June 1999, were scheduled to be completed in December, with the building reopening with a new name — Media and Performing Arts Building. The effect the fire will have on that timeline is unknown. The university hopes to have a clear idea of when the repairs and renovations will be completed, and the total cost of the damage, in a few days.

BY KELLEY REESE kreese@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Athletic director resigns
• Students approve referendum to build new recreation center
• Weather closing information
• Presentation gives insights into NSF
• Web site created for parents
• Awards presented at sack lunch
• Fast food is becoming the family cook despite shortcomings
• TAMS students advance in science competition
• Answerline

homepage