Popcorn machine fire at Rotorua cinema (update)

A fire which started in a popcorn machine at Rotorua's Reading Cinema meant the movie theatre was out of business until at least last night.

Cinema complex manager Adam Morrison said the fire broke out in the popcorn machine about 10.20am yesterday.

Mr Morrison said staff had only just opened the building and were preparing the popcorn when a fault in the machine caused it to catch fire.

"We had just opened but luckily we had no patrons when the fire started,'' he said.

"I contained the fire with a fire extinguisher but the flames got high enough to activate our sprinkler system.''

Mr Morrison said the fire hadn't caused much damage to the building but the water damage from the sprinklers had prevented the business from operating.

"The fire only really damaged the popcorn machine and the ceiling above it,'' he said.

"We have just been trying to clean up all the water from the sprinklers. That's about the extent of the damage.''

Mr Morrison said he expected the cinema would be open from 6pm last night.

"If all goes to plan we would have had everything cleaned up by then.''

However, there would be  no popcorn  available to any movie-goers last night.

"The machine will be out of action until we can get an electrician to come in and have a look at it. We do have several other items at the candy bar which will be available though.''