Fire Destroys Warehouse at Russia Theater

ST.PETERSBURG, Russia (AP)-- A fire swept through a warehouse at the Mariinsky Theater early Friday, destroying sets for many productions by the renowned opera and ballet company. The new season won't be affected, however, with theater officials saying it will open as planned Oct. 10. Although the fire destroyed sets for at least four productions, the Mariinsky keeps duplicates for some productions in other locations. Firefighters rushed to the site when the blaze broke out about 3 a.m., but couldn't bring it under control, and the roof and all four floors of the warehouse from collapsing three hours later. On firefighter was injured, a fire official said. The set that is to accompany a tour of Tchaikovsky's ``Eugene Onegin'' in Japan in November was safe, but another set for the opera was destroyed. That set was to be used on a tour of Germany in December and the theater said late Friday that the set could be replicated by then. The cause of the fire has not been stated, but the NTV television channel quoted witnesses as saying an unidentified man was seen dousing the building in kerosene and setting it alight. The Mariinsky Theater _ also known as the Kirov _ was built in 1859 and is home to leading opera and ballet companies that frequently tour the world. In June, a French architect was chosen as winner of a competition to design a new building for the renowned theater.