Shortly before 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) personnel responded to a report of a structure fire at the Rose Theatre’s Starlight Room, at 237 Taylor St. in downtown Port Townsend.

First-arriving crews found the fire was confined to a popcorn machine, and had been extinguished by Rose Theatre staff, with no indication of the fire extending beyond the popcorn machine, into the structure.

EJFR crews then ventilated the concession area and theater of remaining smoke, while all occupants of the theater were safely evacuated by theater staff due to the smoke.

One theater staff member received minor burns to her fingers on one hand as she was extinguishing the fire, and she was treated on scene, but no injuries to theater customers or other staff members were reported.

EJFR issued a statement to recognize “the quick action” by the Rose Theatre staff, who extinguished the fire and safely evacuated the theater, after having recently undergone training in fire extinguisher use and evacuation procedures, “which may have guided their prompt response.”

Rose Theatre Manager Danielle Ferguson confirmed that the fire started in the kettle of the popcorn machine in the Starlight Room, and was contained “fairly fast,” as staff called EJFR, whom Ferguson praised for arriving swiftly.

Rose Theatre co-owner George Marie elaborated that the Starlight Room’s afternoon showing of “Thelma” was concluding, so the audience was already starting to head toward the exits, and he estimated theater staff put the fire out “within a minute” of when it started.

“Meanwhile, our staff worked hard and fast to get everyone out of the theater in a timely manner,” Ferguson said. “We canceled the last show in the Starlight Room, for cleaning and airing-out purposes. The popcorn popper had some damage, but the rest of the space is okay.”

“The fire scorched the kettle, and caused a mess in the kitchen, but that was the extent of the damage,” Marie said. “We do believe the popcorn popper can be salvaged. We’re currently cleaning it, and checking all the parts for damage.”

Marie noted that even the smoke was mostly contained to the kitchen.

“Again, there wasn’t any lasting fire or smoke damage in the kitchen where the fire started,” Marie said.

Ferguson noted the irony of the Rose Theatre staff receiving a review of proper fire safety procedures from EJFR personnel, the day before the theater fire.

During the theater’s all-staff meeting, fire and rescue personnel went over “where all of our fire extinguishers are and how to use them,” according to Ferguson, “and all of us even got to use an extinguisher to put out a controlled fire outside.”

Theater staff were also trained in “how to help people who may choke, how to attend to an unconscious person until help arrives, and First Aid and CPR,” Ferguson said. “We are so grateful for this training, especially on how to get people out of the theater safely, which is offered for free by the fire department.”

Ferguson urged other local businesses to take advantage of “this amazing free resource.” He added “without a doubt, this training kept our fire damage minimal.”

Marie echoed this endorsement, as well as the rest of Ferguson’s praise for the theater staff and EJFR personnel. He said theater staff “rallied together” on the evening of July 3 and the morning of Thursday, July 4, to “clean up the mess,” washing the kitchen “from top to bottom,” so that the Starlight Room could move forward with its regularly scheduled shows for that day.

“The only disruption was the cancellation of that Wednesday evening’s showing of ‘Thelma,’” Marie said. “Everyone was incredibly gracious and kind. All tickets were refunded or swapped for other showtimes. One incredible couple decided to join our membership program as Rose Theatre sustainers. Generous memberships help keep the Rose going, while theater attendance is down.”