$310K Damage From Fire at Historic Oregon Theater

Fire officials say they’ve taken another look at the blaze that caused $310,000 damage at the historic Palace Theatre in Silverton, Ore., and decided it was accidental.

Silverton Mayor Stu Rasmussen, one of the co-owners, said after the April 11 blaze that he suspected a popcorn machine.

Silverton Fire District spokesman Ed Grambusch says the Marion-Polk County fire investigation team looked at the scene Monday after new information was received. He says investigators decided the fire started in the concession stand area but the popcorn machine has been ruled out. The cause was initially listed as “undetermined.”

The Willamette Valley theater celebrated its 75th anniversary last year.