Former Cumbernauld Cottage Theatre damaged in fire
Firefighters tackled the blaze, eventually extinguishing it; however, the category C-listed structure - which is owned by North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) - had suffered 'significant' damage, with much of the roof destroyed.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed no one was injured during the incident.
Following the fire, councillor Adam Smith, who represents Cumbernauld East, stated that residents are 'rightly angry' that the theatre, which was built in the 1700s, was left vacant for so long.
Councillor Smith added that he remains hopeful that the Braehead Road building can be saved, but is disappointed that measures were reportedly not taken to 'better protect it'.
He said: 'The fire at the former Cumbernauld Theatre building in the early hours of Friday morning was devastating to see, particularly as I secured the listing of the building and was the chair of the organisation previously working to take ownership of it as a community facility.
'As a listed building under the ownership of NLC, the council has a duty of care to the former Cottage Theatre and it's disappointing that measures were not taken to better protect it.
'The building is almost 300 years old and the external structure appears to have withstood the fire well, although much of the roof has been lost.
'I await the building survey report, however and hope there will not be a requirement for demolition.
"People are rightly angry that the building had been vacant for so long and that the previous Community Asset Transfer request was rejected by North Lanarkshire Council, despite them having no plans for the site and having declared it surplus to their requirements.
'I remain hopeful that the building will survive and can have a positive community use in future.'
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NLC stated that it is engaging with other authorities to make a full assessment of the site.
It has since been fenced off, and people are being asked to 'stay away' for safety reasons.
The local authority also confirmed that a community asset transfer request for the former theatre had been made in 2022.
This was refused; however, it was not stated why.
An NLC spokesperson commented: 'A fire occurred at the former Cumbernauld Theatre in the early hours of Friday, July 25, which was attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
'There is significant damage to the building, particularly to the roof, and we are engaging with other agencies to make a full assessment.
'The area has been fenced off, and the public is asked to stay away from the building for safety reasons.
'A community asset transfer request was submitted in 2022 for the former Cumbernauld Theatre building.
'This request was considered by the Education, Children and Families Committee in 2023 and refused.'
Police Scotland confirmed that enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.
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