Because smoke developed at the Schwerin State Theater, around 500 people were brought out of the building to safety on Friday evening. Nobody got hurt.
The reason for the smoke was a fire in a shaft at the side entrance to the theater, the police said. The smoke got into the interior of the building through the ventilation installed in the shaft. The cause of the fire was initially unclear. The police are investigating suspected arson.
When the report of the incident was received, according to the police, the performance of the opera “Carmen” was taking place in the “Big House”. The people who had to leave the building were able to temporarily stay in the state chancellery, which was specially opened. About an hour and a half later, after the theater was ventilated, people were able to pick up their belongings left inside late in the evening.
