Edmonton’s theatre community is rallying to ensure the show will go on after Edmonton’s iconic Roxy Theatre burned to the ground Tuesday.

About 50 firefighters responded to the live performance venue at 124 Street and 107 Avenue just before 4 a.m.

Fire crews were able to contain the blaze to the building before the roof collapsed. No injuries were reported.

Maggie Baird, associate producer of the Theatre Network, which operates out of the Roxy, says everyone associated with the venue is grieving.

“Seeing it come down right now is just devastating,” said Baird, as fire crews continued to put out hotspots just before lunch on Tuesday.

“I was holding off tears all morning, and when I saw the back of the building, I had to stop my car and cry for a long time.

“When I turned the corner and saw the roof had collapsed, that was the end. Watching it burn down is like watching my home burn down.”

The Roxy, home of Theatre Network since 1989, was built in 1938 and first operated as a neighbourhood movie house.

A new show — Cheerleader from Human Loser Theatre — was set to open Tuesday.​

Morgan Smith, Cheerleader’s producer, said when she heard the fire call to the Roxy, her “heart just stopped.”

“It’s like watching a friend in pain, or a friend who is injured or sick and you can’t do anything to help them. It’s the worst.”

Now she’s not sure if or when Cheerleader will hit the stage.

But Edmonton’s theatre community is reaching out to offer support and the Theatre Network, a registered charity, continues to take donations at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/theatre-network-society/.

“At this point it’s hard for us to find the words to describe how we feel. We are thankful for all the support,” reads a tweet from Roxy Theatre.

“The Roxy is a home for many artists and community members. Everyone who touched that building lost something today. We are speechless.”

The Walterdale Theatre was one of the first venues to offer support.

“On behalf of the Walterdale Theatre, our hearts go out to the Theatre Network family and all the artists that have ever graced the stage at the Roxy. An institution in our city has been lost,” said Adam Kuss, Walterdale Theatre’s artistic director.

Power remained out along the trendy strip of galleries, shops and restaurants along 124 Street for much of Tuesday as fire crews remained on scene.

The cause of the fire and total damages are still being investigated.

More to come ...​

The 124th Street gallery district has seen its share of recent emergency calls and been transformed over the decades. Some highlight include:

* Feb. 2013 -- Shops and cafes in Edmonton's trendy 124 Street area are closed for business as owners struggle to repair flood damage after a massive water-main break.

* Nov. 2012 -- Greasy and fat stained rags left in a laundry room dryer are the cause of an early morning blaze that tore through Smokehouse BBQ restaurant located at 10810 124 St. The fire was under control within 45 minutes. Fire officials said the rags left inside a laundry room dryer self heated and ignited the restaurant. The blaze quickly spread to the roof of the building, causing significant fire and smoke damage. Nobody was in the restaurant at the time of the blaze, which caused approximately $500,000 in damage.

* June 2005 -- Goodbye Edward. Hello 124 Street. The 124 Street and Area Business Association officially says goodbye to Edward Street and sheds the street's original name. Edward Street was the name of 124 Street at the turn of the century and when the city's street numbering system was standardized in 1914, Edward Street was given the numerical moniker of 124 Street.