By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
CARRBORO — The ArtsCenter will reopen today (Thursday) after being closed for more than a week due to an electrical fire.
The fire, which an employee noticed around 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 4, caused no structural damage and no injuries. The fire started in the electrical panel controlling the heating and cooling system.
“There was a mechanical failure that we could not have detected,†ArtsCenter director Ed Camp said Tuesday. “It’s related to the heat that we’ve experienced.â€
ArtsCenter staff had originally planned to reopen the center on Tuesday, but electricians discovered another problem, which delayed the reopening. ArtsCamp classes were cancelled through this week.
“We really hate that we had to cancel class,†Camp said. “We know that parents rely on us.†Canceling classes, he said, was “our greatest disappointment.â€
Camp does not yet have an estimate for the damages caused by the fire, but said that insurance would cover both damages and loss of business.
“Just loss of business alone, we’re looking at a significant amount there,†he added.
Camp hopes to organize a Saturday or Sunday program “where children can get that art experience that they missed.†The ArtsCenter will issue refunds to parents for canceled classes.
When they heard about the fire, University Mall staff offered space for ArtsCamp.
“They were very gracious to offer us that,†Camp said. Unfortunately, the logistics were too difficult to arrange on short notice, but ArtsCenter staff members were able to put parents in touch with camp counselors who were willing to babysit. And much of The ArtsCenter’s work did go on, as staff members worked from home.
“We feel very fortunate, all things considered,†Camp said.