Photos: American Shakespeare Theatre Ravaged By Stratford Fire

The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre was destroyed by a massive fire last Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019.

Built in 1955, the theatre was modeled after the landmark Globe in London as a homage, and money-grab, connected to Shakespeare's birthplace — Stratford-upon-Avon of the United Kingdom. Since opening, the theatre gave way to a slew of iconic performances from celebrities including Katherine Hepburn, James Earl Jones and most recently Christopher Plummer.

Although the theatre hasn't held a performance since "The Tempest" in 1989, with its final full season held in 1982, it has remained an important part of history. Many celebrities like Lin-Manuel Miranda have taken to social media to express their heartbreak over the theater community's loss.

Authorities are still undergoing investigations on how the fire started, but have reason to believe the biggest flames originated at the theater's main stage. "Dogs brought to the scene found no traces of an accelerant," but officials are not ruling anything out, reported the AP.

See the heartbreaking photos of the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre fire below:

American Shakespeare Theatre Fire

Sunday January 13, 2019

Authorities respond after a fire broke out at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut last Sunday. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

Katharine Hepburn, Christopher Plummer and James Earl Jones are some of the many iconic actors to have performed on its stage. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

A view of the theater's main stage after the fire shows very little is left of the historic landmark. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

Many celebrities, including the likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda, have taken social media to express the heartbreak of losing the iconic stage. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

Lead image by Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP; The Associated Press contributed to this article.