Haunted opera house in CT?

Derby (WTNH) - An old, deserted opera house in Derby is said to be haunted. News Channel 8's Kent Pierce went inside to check it out.

The phantom of the opera only exists in movies and plays, but in Derby they say they have a phantom haunting the Sterling Opera House. It hasn't been used for years, but the Valley Arts Council is in the middle of renovations. Some people were inside one Halloween and say they saw something spooky.

"We thought we saw a rat on the railing, hey look a rat on the railing, and upon further examination, it had like wispiness of smoke coming off of it. So, before running out of the building like a scardeycat, I took a couple of shots straight up," said Rich DiCarlo, Valley Arts Council.

DiCarlo took some pictures, one of which shows what appears to be a woman in a Victorian-era dress.

"Mr. Sterling, who was building the Opera house back then, died a couple years before the completion. We're trying to see if maybe his wife took over the building and maybe that's the person who's watching over this place," DiCarlo said.

Just a few weeks, another photo shows strange orbs hovering seats in the audience. A paranormal investigator has come to the opera house and reportedly captured more images. The building does have a long history. Harry Houdini performed here. Amelia Earhart spoke here. If there are spirits hanging around, Rich Dicarlo says they don't mean us any harm.

"Whatever it is or whatever they are, it's a comfortable feeling," he said. "It's a friendly ghost."