On Tuesday night, two viewers at Liberty Cinema in Wenatchee, Wash., heard unsettling creaks during the screening of “Captain America: Brave New World.” As they noticed the ceiling shifting, a large section collapsed, showering the front rows with debris, including plaster and insulation. One person was struck but not injured, while the other avoided harm. Emergency crews, concerned about possibly exposed asbestos, wore masks while inspecting the scene. The historic theater is now closed for inspections, with management expressing their commitment to resolving the issue. Chief of the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department highlighted the rare nature of such an incident.
On Tuesday night, two individuals watching “Captain America: Brave New World” by themselves in a movie theater in Wenatchee, Wash., began to hear odd creaking and moaning noises. Given the film’s context, which features an excessive amount of furniture destruction, dramatic death scenes, and combat sounds, the noises seemed quite fitting.
However, during a quieter moment—possibly when [redacted for spoilers]—the audience members glanced up to see part of the ceiling at the front of the theater shifting, as reported by Brian Brett, the chief of the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department, which was called to the scene after a collapse at Liberty Cinema just after 8 p.m. local time.
“They began to retreat away from the area where the ceiling was falling,” Chief Brett mentioned in a phone interview on Thursday. “A significant section of framed area beneath the roof detached and plummeted into about the first three rows of seats in the historic theater.”
One of the patrons was “hit by some debris” but fortunately sustained no injuries, while the other person completely avoided the falling materials, according to Chief Brett. The two moviegoers chose not to be interviewed or named.
Images from the incident depicted plaster, drywall, and pink insulation covering the front rows of the auditorium. Wires were seen hanging from the ceiling like festive streamers.
The reason for the collapse remains unclear. Chief Brett noted that the building is old, and the collapse might have exposed asbestos. Emergency crews used full-face masks linked to air tanks to prevent inhalation of the theater’s air.
Liberty Cinema has been closed indefinitely for safety inspections. It is managed by Sun Basin Theatres in Wenatchee, a city with a population of around 35,000, situated between the foothills of the Cascade Range and the Columbia River, approximately 90 miles east of Seattle.
“This location holds a special place in our hearts, and we’ve enjoyed serving delicious popcorn to the community from here over the years,” Sun Basin Theatres communicated on Facebook. “That’s why we’re dedicated to thoroughly addressing this issue.”
Chief Brett stated that he had never witnessed an incident like this in the town’s history. He expressed relief that the two moviegoers were unharmed and shared concern over what might have occurred had the theater been more populated.