Carpenter Square Theatre Sees Outpouring Of Support After Warehouse Catches On Fire In Downtown OKC

A local theatre is trying to figure out how they are going to perform after their warehouse was destroyed in a huge fire Tuesday night.

People from all over wrote in to tell News 9 they could see the smoke from the 4-alarm fire downtown OKC off of 4th Street and Shartel Avenue.

Inside the warehouse Carpenter Square Theater kept all their props, costumes and furniture. Over 35 years of supplies, now destroyed.

The building is a total loss, some of it even collapsed on to the street. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but one woman is lucky she didn't lose her life, firefighters pulled her out through a window. Theatre leaders said they did not know her.

Theatre board members told News 9 in less than 24 hours they've had an outpouring of support.

"The response we've gotten on social media has been tremendous and such an outpouring of love and support," said Board Chair Rick Allen Lippert.

The problem right now is staff don't have anywhere to store donations. The theatre is in the process of renovating a new permanent location off of Western and Reno. People are still reaching out to let the theatre know they are there if they need them.

"Who better to represent the Oklahoma standard than the Oklahoma state government," said Director of Capital Assets for the OMES Dan Ross.

He reached out to offer up furniture and supplies that they have in state surplus. Since the theatre is a nonprofit, OMES can distribute items to them.

"We have plenty of material to help rebuild their sets," said Ross. "We have materials to help with office space."

He and the state want the theatre and even other nonprofits to know OMES wants to provide any help they can.

Right now, the theatre and their staff are taking things show by show, but they have what they need for their upcoming production opening in just a few weeks.

Lippert told News 9 his main focus is the big picture, getting their new space ready to go for their 38th season.

"We will figure something out," said Lippert. "It's a theatre company. We make magic happen on a daily basis."

Since they don't have storage space, Lippert said monetary donations would be best.

If anyone would like to donate, a GoFundMe is set up. 

Click here to view the GoFundMe account.