Rick Novak Gets Initial 6-Month Estimate on Royal Cinemas Fire Repairs

Royal Examiner contacted Royal Cinemas owner Rick Novak for additional information on the status of his dual-theater building following the January 18 fire. “The extent of the damage compared to the size of the building seems minor,” he told us after conversations with Warren County Fire & Rescue personnel, including Fire Marshall Austin Cucciardo.

However, Novak added that following a post-fire inspection by the Chantilly office of ServiceMaster Restore, a regionally known “Commercial & Residential Restoration Service” with 65 years of experience in restorations for all types of structure damage, including fire, severe weather, and flooding, he had been given a 6-month initial time frame to complete repairs.

Novak said he was working with his insurance company to obtain information to start the repair work. He also noted that fire officials on the scene at the time of the fire Sunday night told him they would be watering down impacted areas of the building to prevent secondary fires from smoldering areas, including those out of sight within walls.

Royal Cinemas owner Rick Novak, right center in orange and gray jacket, on the scene discussing the situation with emergency services personnel. Royal Examiner Photo Roger Bianchini

He said he was also told the fire started at a “disconnect,” which he described as a required component of heating and air-conditioning systems. The involved equipment was apparently located within a wall and ran to the building’s roof, which explains why emergency services personnel were sent there during the response.

So, is the community facing 6 months without one of its primary downtown Front Royal Commercial District entertainment businesses? Stay tuned, movie fans, we will stay in touch with Royal Cinemas proprietor Rick Novak for updates on repairs and any projected changes in the estimated time frame involved.