The site of the blaze remains too dangerous to enter as the town reels in "disbelief" at the loss of the historic building.
Fire investigator John Smalls said people in Roxburgh may be able to help determine how and where the fire started.
"We really feel for the community, who are clearly devastated by the loss of their historic building," he says.
"If you have any photographs or footage of the Town Hall from 11am onwards yesterday, please send them through to OtagoRiskReduction@fireandemergency.nz.
"We’re especially looking for any images that show the back and sides of the building."
Last month, a fire in the cinema caused minor damage, but early detection by a recently installed fire alarm meant fire crews were there within five minutes
Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley said the talk was that yesterday's fire might also have been caused by an electrical fault.
But Mr Smalls said this morning it was too early to say what may have caused the blaze and he was not willing to speculate.
This morning the site was considered too dangerous for anyone to enter and council staff were preparing to launch a drone to inspect the rubble.
Mr Smalls said the scene investigation would begin if drone footage showed the site was safe.
Struggling to hold back tears chairman of the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre and improvements committee Curtis Crawford said the volunteer group had lost all the effort from their hours of work.
“I’ve tried [to count the volunteer hours] . . . it’s pretty hard to put a number on. There wouldn’t be many weeks go by that I haven’t ended up in there doing something for somebody. If there’s a funeral you help them set up and go in afterwards to makes sure it’s all put away.’’
Mr Crawford was the second of three generations in his family to have spent time in the theatre. He had performed in school productions as well as prizegivings. His parents' school prizegivings were held there, as were his daughter’s.
The committee had gone to digital projection a few years ago and recently completed upgrading the sound system - amplifiers, speakers and radio microphones - to make it all more usable for everybody, he said.
They had secured funding for some of the work and the $37,000 they had spent was just gone.
“I don’t know how to handle it,’’ he said becoming emotional.
There was insurance on the equipment but the work of the generations that had gone before could never be replaced. However, the committee would work to bring back the cinema.
“We still need it.’’
Roxburgh residents have gathered in "disbelief" at what once was the town's beloved historic cinema and hall.
An Otago Daily Times reporter at the scene said people had continued to visit at the site in "disbelief", taking photos and sharing memories of the building.
"People are coming back because they can't quite believe it was as bad as it was," she said.
Fire trucks had remained at the site overnight and faint smoke was still rising from the building's remains, she said.
The cinema's facade was still standing, although a fall area had been established in front of it.
The reporter said, aside from blown-out windows, "if you looked down the street, you wouldn't know anything had happened".
However, inside only rubble remained - treasured items like old movie posters, historic projection equipment and a grand piano reduced to ash.
Yesterday, the town hall had been demolished to prevent the fire spreading.
Roxburgh chief fire officer David Welsh said the decision was made yesterday afternoon to push over the remains of the town hall, at the rear of the building, to smother the fire and prevent it spreading to surrounding properties.
Nearby buildings had suffered smoke damage but were otherwise unharmed.
Traffic on State Highway 8 through the town was still being diverted through backstreets.
