ST. LOUIS — The body of a person has been recovered after a fire Friday night at the Central West End building that houses Bob Kramer's Marionnettes.
St. Louis Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Garon Mosby said Saturday that the search for a person left unaccounted for in the fire had officially become a recovery operation. At 1 p.m. Saturday, a fire department official confirmed a body had been recovered.
The fire department has not released the name of the victim.
Shortly before 7:30 p.m. Friday, firefighters responded to the 4100 block of Laclede Avenue.
When firefighters arrived, heavy fire and smoke were seen coming from the back of the two-story building.
"When we arrived, we had a report that there were possibly persons trapped inside. The initial report is that folks were in the basement," Mosby said.
Firefighters quickly entered the building and began searching for two people who were thought to be inside.
"Conditions deteriorated rather rapidly, and an evacuation was ordered," Mosby said.
Firefighters were able to rescue one of the people inside. Mosby identified the person as Kramer's partner, Dug Feltch.
Feltch was taken by ambulance to a St. Louis hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Mosby described his condition as stable.
Bob Kramer's Marionnettes is a St. Louis institution founded by Kramer more than 50 years ago. Kramer and Feltch perform several shows each year and teach audiences about how the puppets are made.
"It looked like there was a decent amount of smoke in the theater," Mosby said.
Feltch and Kramer lived on the second floor of the building.
In an update Saturday morning, Mosby said the fire department maintained a presence at the scene overnight to ensure the fire was completely extinguished.
The second floor of the building has collapsed into the first floor. An inspector came to make sure the building was secure to enter, and a K-9 team began searching the building early Saturday afternoon. The body was found a short time later.
5 On Your Side spoke with Harold Karabell, a close friend and the president of the neighborhood association, who said he talked to Dug Friday evening. Karabell said Dug was doing fine physically.
"He told me they were watching TV. He and Bob were watching TV and then they smelled something that smelled like a barbeque, then they rushed downstairs and then it erupted into flames," Karabell said.
PHOTOS: Fire breaks out in building that houses Bob Kramer's Marionnettes
"I was hoping it wasn't Bob Kramer's place. He's such a nice and passionate guy. He's so well known for his puppet shows. We all know and love him from our neighborhood. My prayers go up for him and his partner," said Chris Kissel, who lives nearby.
"They were both home at the time smoke was discovered in the dwelling. One went to go investigate and they got separated," Mosby said.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.
"Right now, we're at a second alarm. ... We have over 60 firefighters working the scene," Mosby said Friday night.
He said firefighters were stationed for blocks around the building because of a lack of nearby hydrants.
"These are very long blocks in the Central West End that present a unique challenge. ... There aren't many hydrants in these large blocks," he said.
In addition to the theater, the first floor houses a gift shop and workshop.
It's unclear where or how the fire started, Mosby said.
The West Pine-Laclede Neighborhood Association has posted a link to a GoFundMe fundraiser for Feltch on its website.
It is believed Kramer was the person who died in the fire. On Monday, the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis released the following statement on Kramer's entertainment career:
Bob Kramer was a passionate and dedicated artist whose work has inspired and entertained generations of people. His work is known throughout the world, and he leaves a lasting mark on the art of puppetry. Bob and his partner, Dug Feltch, run one of the longest-running puppet theatres in the United States. The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis has proudly supported Bob Kramer’s Marionettes through our grants program, and we are saddened by Bob’s passing. RAC sends our thoughts and prayers to Dug, Bob’s family, and his longtime fans.
Editor's note: A St. Louis Fire Department spokesman initially identified the person who was rescued as Bob Kramer. He later clarified to say it was Kramer's partner, Dug Feltch.