Local News

The fire heavily damaged one closed business and Downtown Pizza. The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center suffered minor smoke damage.

Hundreds were evacuated from a historic theater after a three-alarm fire blazed in downtown Plymouth, N.H. Saturday night, damaging multiple businesses before a large response contained the fire. 

Multiple buildings from 41 to 45 Main St. were aflame when Plymouth Fire-Rescue responded at 9:10 p.m. on Saturday.  Crews said the former Peppercorn Natural Food Store and Downtown Pizza, which had no occupants, were damaged by heavy fire conditions. 

Plymouth Fire-Rescue Chief Tom Morrison said staff of the nearby Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center noticed the fire and called 911. The venue said about 450 people were evacuated from the theater, which sustained minor smoke damage.

Flying Monkey owner The Common Man said in a statement that the venue was sold out for a Foreigner and Journey tribute band Saturday night.

“We are so proud of our Flying Monkey staff who noticed the fire next door and took quick action to calmly and safely evacuate everyone from our building. They put guest and staff safety first and have our utmost respect for their heroic efforts,” CEO Vincent Vella said. “We are unbelievably lucky and happy to report that our beloved venue has survived such a devastating event.”

The Flying Monkey — built in the 1920s and revived in the 2010s — canceled a touring act performing Sunday night and will remain closed for the next few days.

Plymouth Fire-Rescue said fire containment was difficult due to the proximity and the layout of the buildings. One building had multiple ceilings, which the fire spread into, resulting in an evacuation of fire crews from the building. Morrison said in a statement that “a defensive operation ensued” to get the fire under control.

Sixteen departments assisted Plymouth — Ashland, Bristol, Campton-Thornton, Waterville Valley, Holderness, New Hampton, Bridgewater, Hebron, Center Harbor, Meredith, Tilton-Northfield, Sanbornton, Rumney, Warren, Wentworth, and Woodstock, Morrison listed.

One firefighter suffered a shoulder injury and was treated at Speare Memorial Hospital.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Plymouth said.