Hemet Firefighters save Historic Theater

A blaze destroyed several downtown Hemet businesses Wednesday, but firefighters were able to save one of the city's oldest landmarks.Flames that erupted at 4:20 p.m. at the corner of Florida Avenue and Carmalita Street tore through at least three businesses, possibly four, and came within inches of the downtown Historic Hemet Theatre.

The cause of the fire was unknown. Hemet Fire Chief Matt Shobert said investigators likely wouldn't have information about the cause or damage estimates until at least today, after they had chance to get inside.

The fire started inside Elite Flowers and -- despite Wednesday's torrential rain -- quickly spread next door to a jewelry shop, Shobert said. Like many blocks in downtown Hemet, all the buildings are connected.

Bright flames danced inside the building as billowing gray-brown smoke rose high in the sky. Firefighters battled the inferno for nearly three hours, keeping the flames from the 89-year-old theater.

"After drawing our line in the sand at the theater -- all things considered, we could have easily lost this whole block," Shobert said.

Hemet and Riverside County firefighters attacked the blaze from inside the burning row of buildings for a half-hour before much of the century-old architecture became unstable. At that point, firefighters had to start using hose and ladder trucks from the street.

Dave Bernal, a theater co-owner, watched as the flames crept closer. "We're still standing. The fire is literally right next to it and they're trying to hold back the flames," Bernal said.

The attic of the theater has original movie reels, lobby tickets and old movie posters left from the original owner, he said.

"I would hate to see such a landmark be lost," Bernal said. "I feel for all the businesses affected and the families that are going to take that loss."

The theater has suffered financially for years and was recently put up for sale, Bernal said. Though the fire caused no significant damage, the theater will be closed temporarily.

At 8 p.m., however, with fire crews still at the scene, there was a sign of hope: The theater marquee remained lit up, displaying its current movie -- "The Princess and the Frog."

"I give everything to God and the Hemet firefighters for saving us and the businesses there," Bernal said. "I'm relieved the lights will shine again."

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