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Theater at renowned Jacob's Pillow dance center burns down

BECKET, Mass. (AP) - A fire at the renowned Jacob's Pillow dance center in Massachusetts destroyed a theater building early Tuesday, but no one was hurt.

The fire at the Doris Duke Theatre was reported at about 7 a.m., Becket Fire Chief Paul Mikaniewicz told The Berkshire Eagle.

Firefighters arrived to find flames on the right side of the building. A short time later the 216-seat theater that dates to 1990 went up in flames with sound that Mikaniewicz described as like a tornado.

A hydrant on the property wasn't working, so firefighters had to shuttle water in and get water from a nearby pond, he said.

About 30 firefighters from several area fire departments responded.

No other buildings on the Jacob's Pillow 220-acres grounds were affected.

The state Fire Marshal's office is investigating. The cause has not been determined.

'œWhile we have lost some precious, irreplaceable items, those experiences and memories will last forever," Pamela Tatge, Jacob's Pillow's artistic and executive director said in a statement. 'œWe are heartbroken and we are relieved that no one was hurt."

She said the organization will rebuild.

There is another, larger theater on the grounds.

Jacob's Pillow canceled its 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the organization recently opened studio and housing spaces to a small number of artists for COVID-compliant residencies.

The Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival dates to the 1930s.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, Mass., that burned in an early morning fire, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. At the peak of the fire, about 30 firefighters worked to control the blaze. Departments from Hinsdale, Otis, Lee, Monterey and Chester assisted Becket. The Doris Duke Theatre is one of two indoor theaters on the grounds of Jacob's Pillow. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP) The Associated Press
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, Mass., that burned in an early morning fire, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. At the peak of the fire, about 30 firefighters worked to control the blaze. Departments from Hinsdale, Otis, Lee, Monterey and Chester assisted Becket. The Doris Duke Theatre is one of two indoor theaters on the grounds of Jacob's Pillow. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP) The Associated Press
Firefighters work to extinguish the Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, Mass., that burned in an early morning fire, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. The Doris Duke Theatre is one of two indoor theaters on the grounds of Jacob's Pillow. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP) The Associated Press
Two people walk past the remains of the Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, Mass., which burned in an early morning fire, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. At the peak of the fire, about 30 firefighters worked to control the blaze. Departments from Hinsdale, Otis, Lee, Monterey and Chester assisted Becket. The Doris Duke Theatre is one of two indoor theaters on the grounds of Jacob's Pillow. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP) The Associated Press
The Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, Mass., burned in an early morning fire, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. At the peak of the fire, about 30 firefighters worked to control the blaze. Departments from Hinsdale, Otis, Lee, Monterey and Chester assisted Becket. The Doris Duke Theatre is one of two indoor theaters on the grounds of Jacob's Pillow. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP) The Associated Press
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