Flying Monkey spared in Saturday fire that guts two nearby buildings on Plymouth’s Main Street
Flames left extensive damage in two buildings on Plymouth’s Main Street Saturday night, including what used to be Downtown Pizza. Neither had active commercial tenants and had no occupants when the fire erupted. Its cause is still under investigation. JAY HEATH / Courtesy
A crowd of 450 people was evacuated from the Flying Monkey music and movie venue when the fire broke out next door. The venue sustained only minor smoke damage and, having canceled some events this week, plans to reopen Friday. JAY HEATH / Courtesy
| Published: 04-22-2024 1:52 PM |
A fire on Main Street in Plymouth Saturday night tore through two empty commercial buildings but left one, the neighboring Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, largely unscathed.
Just after 9 p.m., with a Foreigner-Journey tribute band on stage and a full crowd, concession workers heard a loud bang from outside and, stepping out into the street, saw the flames and pulled the fire alarm, Common Man CEO Vincent Vella said Monday. Alex Ray, who owns the Common Man restaurant chain, also owns the theater.
As Plymouth Fire-Rescue arrived on the scene, large flames rose from the rear of two buildings beside the venue, including one that used to house Downtown Pizza, according to Chief Tom Morrison.
The about 450-person crowd was evacuated from the venue, and looked on as firefighters from 16 departments, according to a news release from Plymouth Fire, arrived at the scene.
Fire teams determined that the buildings had no occupants, and then battled the blaze. The two buildings were both “gutted,” by the fire, Morrison said, but neighboring buildings sustained only smoke and some water damage. The music venue sustained only minor smoke damage and it announced over the weekend that its doors will reopen for a show Friday night.
“We feel very lucky,” Vella said. “The Monkey is an iconic theater in Plymouth. We feel blessed that our staff reacted and got everyone out.”
Originally built as a movie theater in the 1920s, Ray bought, renovated and reopened the venue as the Flying Monkey in 2010, according to its website.
Both of the buildings destroyed in the fire, like the Flying Monkey, are also Ray’s property, according to tax records. Vella said the company is still working with insurance to determine the future of the structures.
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“Unfortunately, some of the Monkey’s neighbors have suffered tragic losses, and Main Street in Plymouth will look different for some time,” Vella said in a statement on social media. “We will support them in their efforts to recover.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
“Everything is fine, we are OK,” lettering on the venue’s marquee proclaimed Monday. “See you Friday.”
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