LOVELAND, Ohio --
A firefighter was injured while fighting a blaze at the Loveland Stage Co.
Dispatchers said it broke out at about 7:30 p.m. Monday at the company's main building.
Firefighters had to take a defensive position as they try to put the fire out.
One firefighter was injured when some debris from the roof fell on his shoulder.
The building was fully engulfed in flames and firefighters said its a total loss.
It took crews from about a dozen fire departments to bring the fire under control.
The fire department has requested that drivers stay away from downtown Loveland between Second Street and Karl Brown Way.
Crews said that they expected the area to be shut down well into Tuesday morning due to the damage and number of fire trucks at the scene.
Drivers can reroute around the area by taking state Route 48 from West Loveland or by taking Branch Hill Guinea Pike from Loveland-Madiera.
The building contained all the costumes and sets for the theatre company.
One person was inside the building when the fire started working with costumes. He said that the fire began in an area near a portion of the building that had recently been rehabbed.
Donna Treinen was in her first leading role at the theatre and she watched helplessly from the street as the fire torched her dreams.
"People you talk to around here, its an important part of the city. Its been hard. [It] feels like you're losing a member of your family," Treinen said.
Even as the building continued to smolder, cast members were working on a plan to present their hard work to the community.
"The show must go on. One of our choreographers had the idea of doing something at the middle school," cast member Matt Schiesl said.
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