The Oaks Muvico theater catches fire

Firefighters responded with five engines and two ladder trucks to a blaze Sun., Jan. 10 at the Muvico movie theaters under construction at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks. The first call went out at 4:24 p.m. with the report of smoke in the hallway.

Four rows of seating in one of the theaters had ignited. The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Ron Oatman.

Nicole Flynn, spokesperson for the mall, said she was uncertain if the fire would affect the theaters' anticipated Feb. 6 opening.

"There was heavy smoke in the theater that was on fire and in the surrounding theaters," VCFD spokesperson Bill Nash said. But, he added, it was not a large fire.

By 4:49 p.m. the fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported.

"The fire was in one auditorium, and as far as we know the theater will open on time," said Muvico Theater spokesperson Jodi Pine of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The theater company had been hoping to open during the holiday season along with the new expansion's opening, but construction delays prevented that from happening, according to a Muvico representative.

The 14 stadiumseating theaters, built with a Parisian theme, will feature walltowall, floorto-ceiling curved screens and Sony 4K digital technology sound and projections.

A Levy's restaurant and a full bar will be on the upper level. Four Premier theaters—for those 21 and older—will offer valet parking, free popcorn and plush 74-inch love seats. Appetizers and alcoholic drinks from the restaurant and the bar will be permitted inside the theater.

A Muvico theater in Florida charges $9.75 for general admission and $20 for a single Premier ticket. Matinee prices are $7 for general admission and $17 for Premier.

Ticket prices for the Thousand Oaks theater have yet to be decided.