Sacramento Theatrical Lighting Loses Two Buildings in Two-Alarm Fire

Two commercial buildings owned by Sacramento Theatrical Lighting, a full-service theatrical equipment company, were destroyed in a two-alarm fire early Thursday evening. The fire at 1414 and 1410 E Street is the fourth in a series of fires set throughout East Sacramento area Thursday.

Fire Department assistant chief Niko King told The Sacramento Bee flames were coming through the roof when the first crew arrived and a second alarm was called. Firefighters pulled back from the building when the roof collapsed shortly after they arrived. Efforts quickly focused on preventing the fire from spreading to surrounding businesses, but King said the two buildings and their contents were a total loss.

The company offers sales of theatrical lighting equipment and accessories, stage curtains, and expendables along with rental materials. Its production department offers full-service contracting services while a special projects division specializes in design and installation of theatrical systems, design and installation of theatrical drapery, rigging inspections, and other projects. The company's offices are located at 930 Richards Avenue in Sacramento, about three miles from the buildings at 1414 and 1410 E Street, which were used for storage.

The fire has been labeled suspicious by local authorities since it was the fourth in the area on Thursday. The first fire broke out at 11:43am on 33rd Street, destroying a home. The second started at 12:22pm on 49th Street, also leaving a resident homeless. The third began at 1:21pm on N Street, claiming the lives of two cats. The fire at Sacramento Theatrical Lighting Annex started around 6:39pm. King said the fire appeared to have started near an alley, which is similar to how the house fires started.