NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� A fire broke out Monday in the Broadway theater that hosts 鈥淭he Book of Mormon,鈥� forcing the long-running musical to close, at least temporarily, as the historic venue undergoes repairs.
The blaze, which began in an electrical room, caused 鈥渟ubstantial damage鈥� to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, according to New York Fire Department Assistant Chief David Simms. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
鈥淓veryone has been safely removed from the theater,鈥� the theater鈥檚 owner, ATG Entertainment, said in a statement. 鈥淲e will keep all parties abreast of this developing situation.鈥�
It wasn鈥檛 immediately clear how long the 1,108-seat theater would be out of operation. A spokesperson for 鈥淭he Book of Mormon鈥� did not immediately respond to messages. The show鈥檚 next scheduled performance is Tuesday.
Simms said the damage was largely confined to the fourth floor area and a backroom containing lighting equipment and dangling chandeliers. There was some water damage as well, he said.
Firefighters initially struggled to knock down the flames due to catwalks and rigging in the theater, but were eventually able to bring it under control, he said. One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
鈥淭he Book of Mormon鈥� is among Broadway鈥檚 longest running shows, with more than 5,000 performances since opening at the Eugene O鈥橬eill Theatre in 2011.
The theater, which opened in 1925, has previously hosted productions of 鈥淪weeney Todd,鈥� a revival of Tennessee Williams鈥� 鈥淐at on a Hot Tin Roof,鈥� and the rock musical 鈥淪pring Awakening,鈥� among many other performances.
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