Inspired by a real case
Embers at the Theatre
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Cases unlock in order, like levels. This is case 106 of 200.
Venice, a winter Thursday, 9 pm. The fire started in the wooden attic of the San Fedele Theatre, the oldest opera house in the city, closed for renovation.
The canal next door had been drained for cleaning. With no water nearby, the firefighters watched the roof come down before they could pump from the Grand Canal.
The caretaker swears he locked everything at 8:30 pm. Even so, someone was inside, and the attic only opens with a key.
Three people were in the theatre or near it tonight. One of them lit the first ember.
A makeshift rehearsal room in a nearby palace, with stacked chairs and a smell of smoke in the air.
Suspects
Marina ZorziThe company's soprano, 39
Dario FurlanOwner of the electrical company on the job, 44
Paolo VianelloTheatre caretaker, 63
The real case
The La Fenice theatre fire
Venice, Italy, 1996
Read the real case