Dance center looks for help from the public in Denver after electrical fire makes building uninhabitable

A historic Denver dance hall that has brought generations of people together is now relying on its community for help after an electrical fire left the building uninhabitable.

The Denver Turnverein Dance Center, built in 1921, has become a gathering place for dancers of all ages and styles. General Manager Teresa Harlow describes the nonprofit venue as a "third place," a home away from home where people can connect outside of work and their daily routines.

"The one thing you don't expect from a dance venue is the community," Harlow said. "We have all age ranges."

 That community is now rallying around the dance center after the fire, which is believed to have started in old wiring, sent smoke throughout the building. Smoke traveled from the basement into the first floor.

Harlow said the building was secured Friday and mitigation work is expected to begin Monday morning. Even with the building closed, she said the smell of smoke remains noticeable outside.

The cost of recovery could be significant.

Harlow said estimates for smoke removal alone range from $30,000 to $100,000. The nonprofit has launched an online fundraiser to help cover recovery costs and support the dance center as it works to reopen.

For Harlow, the fire also revealed just how much history is tied to the building.

"The amount of people that have reached out and offered to help because they got married here or they had their graduation party here," Harlow said. "It wasn't until I was standing in front of the building, watching the smoke pour out the roof, that I realized what we would lose if we didn't save it."

Since the fire, community members have offered supplies, resources, food and donations. Others have helped organize recovery efforts and provided masks, gloves and cleaning supplies.

Harlow says the response has been "monumental and extremely touching."

The Denver Turnverein is continuing to raise money as it assesses the full extent of the damage and works toward reopening the century-old gathering place.