{
  "id": 10077343,
  "title": "Historical picture theatre destroyed in suspicious fire in Melbourne",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/historical-picture-theatre-destroyed-in-suspicious-fire-in-melbourne",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T22:14:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-27/collingwood-historical-austral-picture-theatre-destroyed-fire/107200514"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An overnight blaze gutted the historic Austral Picture Theatre in Collingwood, Melbourne. The building, once a movie theatre in 1921, later transformed into a roller-skating rink and a carpet store. Despite efforts to demolish it for apartments, the theatre retained local social and architectural significance. Police are investigating the suspicious fire, which occurred around 10:30pm, as the abandoned building had no occupants. Fire Rescue Victoria managed to control the flames, preventing them from spreading to neighboring properties. The Greek revival-style theatre, recognized for its historical value, has retained most of its original features. The Heritage Council of Victoria considers the theatre locally significant, but it was never heritage-protected. Locals banded together to prevent a proposed apartment building construction, highlighting the theatre's importance in preserving the neighborhood's social heritage.",
  "summary": "Police are investigating an overnight fire that gutted the 105-year-old former Austral Picture Theatre in Collingwood.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Old theatre in Melbourne gutted by fire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/old-theatre-in-melbourne-gutted-by-fire",
        "published": "2026-09-26T21:32:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Old theatre in Melbourne gutted by fire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/old-theatre-in-melbourne-gutted-by-fire-10071785",
        "published": "2026-09-26T21:32:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}