posted 11-07-2005 10:24 PM                       

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Children Flee; Moviegoers Try To Douse Flames With Soda

POSTED: 10:15 am EST November 7, 2005
UPDATED: 1:27 pm EST November 7, 2005

Melbourne fire and police investigators are trying to determine who set fire to a movie theater exit door during a weekend showing of "Chicken Little," according to Local 6 News partner Florida Today.

The fire happened about 6 p.m. Sunday at the recently refurbished Premiere Theaters-Oaks 10 in Melbourne.

"What we know is that some kind of flammable liquid was thrown at a rear exit door and ignited," said Robert Apel, a battalion chief with the Melbourne Fire Department. Apel also said the smoke and flames caused about $1,000 in damages.

No one was injured but several of the 175 people attending "Chicken Little" -- a G-rated movie that opened nationally over the weekend -- ran out after seeing the fire, officials told Florida Today.

"They heard a loud bang and saw flames coming from underneath the door. Some of them ran out. I imagine a lot of children were in there since it was 'Chicken Little,'" Apel said Monday. He said several moviegoers even tried to douse the flames with soda before the Melbourne Fire Department arrived minutes later.

A state fire marshal was called to the scene and took samples from the charred exit door.

Melbourne police were also called to the theater but no arrests were made.

The multiplex reopened later Sunday after being briefly evacuated.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Melbourne Police Department at 259-1211.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

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