Charred Remains Of Tulsa's Admiral Twin Drive-In Cleared

Fire investigators say they don't believe it was arson, but they do say the flames were started by a human, even if by accident. The site where the drive-in once stood was cleared Monday.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=13105442" target="_self">Fundraising Efforts Underway In Support Of Tulsa's Admiral Twin Drive-In</a>

Tuesday, September 7th 2010, 4:42 pm

By: News On 6

Charred Remains Of Tulsa's Admiral Twin Drive-In Cleared

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- Tulsa Fire investigators say they have not been able to determine the cause of the fire that destroyed the Admiral Twin Drive-In Theater.

Fire investigators say they don't believe it was arson, but they do say the flames were started by a human, even if by accident.

The silver screens went up in flames last Friday. Their remains were hauled off to the dump Monday.

"When it's burnt this bad there's basically nothing we can do with the ashes and burned timber and go to our local landfill." said Nick Griego, Harley Hollan Companies.

Local dumpster company, Harley Hollan Companies, chipped in to volunteer the time, trucks, dumpsters, and manpower to take away the ashes.

"He said let's do what we gotta do to help the people out and that's what we are doing today," Griego said.

Fire investigators say they've all but ruled out arson. They say it's because indicators have not pointed in that direction.

"The investigation is leaning towards an accidental fire that was set by human involvement somehow," said Bill French, Tulsa Fire Department.

An electrical cause has also been ruled out because there was very little to no electricity running to the screens. French also said due to the time of day and the clear skies, it could not have been lightning.

"Because it was nothing but a wooden structure used to reflect a movie screen, there was nothing inside it that would have caused the fire to start," he said. "So you are talking about a very large heavy wooden structure that somehow started on fire."

And as the charred skeleton and black ashes of the Tulsa icon are hauled away, its fiery demise may remain a mystery.

"It is," French said. "But sometimes that happens with fires though in situations like this. Unless you have an eye witness, probable cause but once you start eliminating things, once in a while it may never be solved."

The owners are talking with architects and contractors to determine exactly how much it would cost to rebuild if they choose to do so.

A website is being built to manage fundraising efforts. Other ways to donate include:

Donations by mail: Admiral Twin Drive-In at Security Bank PO BOX 471316 Tulsa, OK 74147
Online at www.selectcinemas.com
On Facebook: "Save The Admiral Twin Drive-In" or Admiral Twin Drive In"

Bigfoot Prints is also stepping in to help with the fundraising efforts. It is selling T-shirts for $10. They come in all colors, and the proceeds go towards rebuilding the drive-in. As of Sunday evening, about 1,000 had been sold. The goal is to sell 12,000.

The Admiral Twin Drive-In will also be the site of a festival featuring Tulsa entertainers and bands on Saturday, October 16. The details are still being ironed out.