A potentially deadly situation brought on by stolen power led Dominion Energy to cut service Friday that had been used by squatters in the former People’s Theater to charge a number of appliances.

The power, which was cut off from a pole, was restored Monday, City Manager Kelly Traynham said this morning.

The Roanoke Rapids Fire Department, in a memo to Dominion, noted that significant fire hazards were observed.

The RRFD investigation included buildings at the following addresses in the 200 block of Roanoke Avenue: 216, 218, 230, 230A, and 232.

The report notes that an electrical outlet had been removed and a 12/2 non-metallic cable was tied in without wire connectors or a cover.

The cable was run across the open floor, covered by debris, and spliced multiple times without approved electrical enclosures or wire connectors. The cable passed through tenant spaces.

Multiple extension cords of varying sizes, lengths, and ratings were interconnected through several power strips and routed across two floors, through walls, and through old ductwork.

These cords and power strips supplied cell phone chargers, multiple lights, a floor-mounted air conditioner, a mini refrigerator, and a two-burner hot plate.

An exposed, energized electrical panel was open to potential contact. “This arrangement created an unsafe and likely overloaded electrical system,” the memo said. “The interconnected cords and power strips appeared to exceed their rated ampacity, creating an imminent fire and electrical shock hazard.”

Planning and Development Director Kristyn Anderson said the city received a complaint Thursday of people breaking into the former People’s Theater and potentially stealing power.

City staff, along with Dominion personnel, met at the site to investigate. “We did find evidence of stolen power and we did find evidence of people occupying People’s Theater,” she said. “We acted quickly, as this was a huge public safety concern for both parties — the stolen power and the occupancy of the People’s Theater.”

Anderson said everyone at the site agreed that the power needed to be turned off for public safety. Power was being stolen from the radio station at 232 Roanoke Avenue. “Due to lack of access to the panels, Dominion had to make the cut at the pole to ensure everything was de-energized to make sure that everything was safe for that location.”

She said that to her knowledge none of the businesses through which cables passed, including the radio station, were occupied, which was one of the reasons the individuals were able to steal power without it being noticed right away.

Confirming that the squatters had been removed, she referred questions about arrests to the police department.

The police department said in a Facebook post Monday that three people had been charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering.

From left, Taylor, Maddrey, and Brewer

The people arrested were Jordan Maddrey, 42; Lacey Taylor, 39; and Charles Brewer, 41. They are all from Roanoke Rapids, and the warrant charges them with breaking into property at 228 Roanoke Avenue.

The city obtained a demolition order years ago for the People’s Theater, Anderson said. “The demolition order gives the city permission to demolish the structure and to remove the unsafe building found as a safety hazard that is dangerous to life, health, or property.”

In order to demolish the building, the city needs funding, with the estimated cost at $500,000 or more. Part of that cost involves treating the structure for asbestos.

However, due to the compromised structural integrity of the building, it would have to be treated as if it were entirely asbestos, which drives the costs up even more.

The owner of the People’s Theater died a few years ago, she said, and now the movie house is considered an heir property. “We’re going through many different logistics and processes trying to work that out. We have made contact with the son.”

However, there have been minimal responses to code violations. “There was talk of a potential redevelopment plan, but as far as any sort of violation or enforcement action, we haven’t had much communication. They’re not local. At this point, we’re trying to do anything that we can. The bottom line is that the structure is unsafe. No one should enter that building ever.”

The same applies to the B Marks building across the street. “We were able to obtain a demolition order for the property,” she said. “But again, you have to have the funding in order to demolish it. We have made contact with the owner, and he does state that he is investigating different rehabilitation efforts.”

Asked whether rehabilitation of the B Marks building is possible, Anderson said, “I think it’s possible. I think anything can be possible. It’s just are you willing to put the work in and do it, or do you have the funding to assist you to get there, or are the resources there to get there?”

As a planner, Anderson believes the potential for redevelopment of that area is huge. “You could do a lot of things. A lot of people don’t realize that we have one of the biggest historic districts in the state. There are a lot of opportunities for property owners within those historic districts if they just take advantage of them.”

As a city, she said, local governments can always utilize those same resources. “But a lot of it is tied to property ownership and job creation. Finding the right person to make the right investment to create the right jobs, you could really turn it around down there.”

There are many factors in how the People’s Theater and B Marks got into their current condition. “About 90 percent of the time when you’ve purchased property, it’s your responsibility to take care of it and keep it up. As a caveat to that, things happen and circumstances arise that you’re not prepared for, but we still have a responsibility to take care of what we own.”

She said it takes the community as a whole — from business and property owners to tenants and the city. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to take care of their community. It takes everybody to buy in, and when you feel you have that buy-in and other people don’t, it can get discouraging. But you just have to stay positive and figure out a different way to make things happen, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”