Breaking news. The Provo Tabernacle caught fire last night, and the roof collapsed. It may be a total loss. Construction for the tabernacle started in 1883 and it was completed in 1898. In 1975, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Tabernacle was home to many concerts, stake conferences, and other community events. From what I have heard, a choir was rehearsing last night and did smell something burning, but everyone thought it was part of the production. A large fire was noted at around 2:30 AM. When I was driving to work, the fire department was still putting out hot spots at 8:30 AM this morning. The cause has not been determined, but it is believed to have originated in the upper part of the building.
Here’s a video from YouTube. I’ll try to update this post as I learn more details, but if you know of anything, please add to the comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz4noOQ_Pus
Update: Here’s a news story from KSL.
Wheat & Tares 
That’s awful. It’s a beautiful building, with tons of history. It was featured in the Disney movie “The Other Side of Heaven.”
Wha…?
Being a baritone dragooned to sing tenor in our (basically tenorless) ward choir, I know the upper range puts a strain on the old vocal cords, but I’m pretty sure they never started to actually smoke.
I drove by the Tabernacle about 20 minutes ago. There are still some flames on the first floor but the fire looked contained and the smoke isn’t as bad as it was earlier this morning. The entire roof has collapsed but the four towers are still standing.
Does any body know what rehearsal was going on last night? Obviously it will have to be cancelled. I heard the smell was like a glue gun, but I’m still surprised that nobody went to check out the smell. It’s too bad that the fire wasn’t contained earlier, especially since people were in the building. However, it is a great blessing that nobody was injured.
probably some Anarchists did it… they like to burn buildings and stuff.
MH: they were singing Hymn #2(The Spirit of God…)
Breaks my heart. I was one of so many who “performed” there in a sing-along Messiah (back in the ’70s), a memory I’ll always cherish. As mixed — and ultimately negative — as my time in Provo was, I mourn with that community.
Actually this was not the building used for the filming of the opening dance scene in “The Other Side of Heaven”. They film that scene in New Zealand in the Auckland Town Hall.
I know this building is going to be a new temple. Anybody know when it will be finished?