LITTLETON, N.H. (AP) -The state fire marshal’s office has closed the Littleton Opera House, saying it’s unsafe.

Police and people visiting the police department, which is housed in the building, will be allowed in, but the city will be required to take steps to repair the building if that’s to continue.

State fire inspector Thomas Zotti found that the 19th century building, which serves as the town’s polling place, contains structural damage and significant safety violations, including exposed wires, inadequate emergency lighting and no sprinkler system.

Zotti, who inspected the building on Aug. 15, found wood and other combustible material stored in the attic and about 80,000 rounds of ammunition in the basement.

Zotti also found the building had shifted to one side, and weight-bearing columns in the basement had deteriorated.

In his report, Zotti ordered the town to comply with a list of conditions which state that “(t)he building shall not be used for any assembly occupancy” until a list of 16 fire code violations is addressed.

Besides housing the police department, several town boards meet in the building and the Littleton Historical Society museum occupies the basement. The building also hosts activities such as wrestling shows, karate classes and square dancing lessons.

Littleton Fire Chief Joe Mercieri has been directed not to issue assembly permits for the building until further notice.

Plans to renovate the building have been dormant since a proposed $2.5 million warrant article failed to receive the required 60 percent approval at 2003 annual town meeting.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Bill Hight said he “had no idea” if the town was in the financial position to repair the Opera House.

In order for the Opera House to continue to be used by police and reopen for other activities, the town must present a written plan to achieve code compliance.

A plan to meet safety codes in the police department area is due at the end of September. A plan to fix the rest of the building is due at the end of December.

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Information from The Caledonian-Record, http://www.caledonianrecord.com/index.php

AP-ES-08-24-05 1506EDT