HOLLYWOOD (CNS) – Three days after a fire damaged the attic and top- floor offices at the exclusive Magic Castle in Hollywood, but caused no injuries, the venue is scheduled to reopen Friday evening for its clientele of magic aficionados.
The fire at the famed performance venue and home of the Academy of Magical Arts at 7001 W. Franklin Ave. erupted around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. It took about 40 minutes for crews to douse the flames.
Building owner Randy Pitchford wrote on X Wednesday that the fire broke out in the attic.
“Confirmed that all guest and member areas are safe, secure and relatively undamaged,” Pitchford wrote. “The top floor offices and attic are pretty wrecked, but ALL of our important history, rare artwork, paintings and posters, one-of-kind magical artifacts, our museum, and the irreplaceable William Larsen Sr Library of Magical Arts are safe, sound, and undamaged! The Magic Castle will recover and the team is using the opportunity to shore up some things and upgrade some things, so the place will be back better than ever as soon as practicable. It’s a wonder and a miracle — true Magic Castle magic!”
On Thursday afternoon, Ben Roman, the venue’s event manager, announced on Facebook that the Castle would be back open for business on Friday.
“After 48 hours of deep cleaning and sanitization, we have passed our inspection and are clear to reopen The Magic Castle tomorrow night, Friday, April 10th!” he wrote. “We’re back in business, baby! Thank you for all the prayers and words of encouragement from so many people. The magic of community!”
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, but officials indicated previously that roof work may have contributed to the blaze.
Simone Turkington, president of the Academy of Magical Arts, said in a statement Wednesday that fire crews arrived at the scene before sprinkler systems were activated, “preventing an unthinkable amount of water damage throughout the building.”
“The former GM’s office on the third floor was destroyed, but fortunately, the office is directly above the recently remodeled kitchen,” Turkington said. “It was recently sealed and had new safety equipment and ventilation which triggered the alarm early.
“The new sealing contained all the water, which in turn preserved all the member and guest spaces. Had this happened a month earlier before the renovations, the situation would have been dire.”
The Magic Castle was built in 1909. Admittance to the venue is limited to Academy of Magical Arts members and their guests.
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