Cause sought for fire that destroyed Connecticut's Shakespeare theater

January 13, 2019 11:00 pm • Last Updated: January 14, 2019 10:52 pm

In this Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, photo authorities respond after a fire broke out at the American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Conn. The theatre opened in 1955 and during the 1960s and 1970s, famous actors, including Katharine Hepburn, performed on its stage. The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre held its final full season in the building in 1982. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

STRATFORD (AP) — Investigators are seeking the cause of a fire that destroyed the historic American Shakespeare Theatre in Connecticut.

The theater in Stratford, which has not hosted a play since 1989, burned to the ground early Sunday.

Police and fire officials said Monday the investigation is in its infancy and no cause has been ruled out. That includes the possibility of arson.

The theater was built in 1955 and was modeled after London's Globe Theatre, which famously burned in 1613.

Katharine Hepburn, Christopher Plummer and other famous actors had performed on its stage.

Officials say the building had power and a sprinkler system but don't know whether the sprinklers were working.

The fire marshal says the heaviest fire occurred in the stage area.

In this Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, photo icicles form on a tree after a fire broke out at the American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Conn. The theatre opened in 1955 and during the 1960s and 1970s, famous actors, including Katharine Hepburn, performed on its stage. The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre held its final full season in the building in 1982. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

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