HALIFAX – Halifax Regional Police are investigating a suspicious fire that broke out at the Shakespeare by the Sea building in Point Pleasant Park early Sunday morning.
When emergency crews arrived just after midnight, they discovered two smaller fires along the sidewalk on Point Pleasant Drive.
“I guess what makes it suspicious are the two fires on the sidewalk followed by the fire on the side of the building. It would appear that all those would have been intentionally set,” said Staff Sgt. Reid McCoombs.
The exterior of the theatre company’s building was damaged by the fire, while the interior received water damage from efforts to put out the blaze.
“I was devastated when I looked up and I thought, ‘How did this happen? What on earth happened here?” said company founder Elizabeth Murphy, as she surveyed the damage.
The building is owned by the city, and Murphy plans to meet with Halifax councillor Waye Mason on Sunday afternoon to discuss a plan.
Murphy said despite the damage, the incident will not delay the theatre company’s 21st season.
“We’ve been through tough stuff before and nothing is going to stop Shakespeare by the Sea,” she said.
Halifax Regional Police are still investigating the fire and are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at (902) 490-5016 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
With a file from Ben MacDonald
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