Puff-Back Closes Hampton Arts Movie Theater Until Spring

The screens at the Hampton Arts Theatre in Westhampton Beach will remain dark until the spring, according to a message on the theater's answering machine.

The temporary closure of the theater comes after a puff-back that occurred at the location on Feb. 10, according to Westhampton Beach Police.

Police report that on the evening of Feb. 10, a cop patrolling the area noticed heavy smoke coming from the back of the building and alerted the Westhampton Beach Fire Department.

Inside at the time were two employees and the theater manager, who were evacuated.

Chip Bancroft, chief of the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, said firefighters quickly realized the smoke was due to a puff-back after they went into the theater's basement to check the heating unit.

"They touched the pipes and they collapsed in," said Bancroft, noting that there were also high CO readings.

The heating unit was shut off by firefighters.

The theater's manager was not immediately available for comment.

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