British tabloid News of the World is reporting that a fire broke out on the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" film set on Friday evening. The newspaper cites "explosives used in action sequences" as the cause of the blaze, with firefighters from six fire engines taking 40 minutes to put the fire out. No one was injured and the explosives reportedly were being used to film the "scenes where Hogwarts gets blown up during the battle." The paper adds that Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) were not on set at the time, but the special effects crew are "devastated."
Update: This morning, Warner Bros. issued a statement regarding the fire which says:
"It was a big special effects scene. Unfortunately, there was a small fire as a result of that. As a precaution, as we had already mobilised our own in-house fire team who had it under control, the fire brigade was called and it was put out in under an hour.
"There was no damage to Leavesden Studios at all. The actual set was due to be rebuilt anyway. The scene was where the set was being destroyed and then it was to be rebuilt for a new scene, as part of a battle for Deathly Hallows part two.
"The idea that fire ripped through Leavesden Studios is so far from the truth, it's untrue. It was a very isolated incident. It was put out very quickly and with limited damage."
Thanks janspach, Bert, Patrick and Elliot for emailing in!
Wow, I’m glad no one was hurt and I hope they can get all of the special effects repaired/replenished/straightened out soon! This is one of those cases in which I wish magic actually existed…
Thank goodness no one was hurt! But Hogwarts gets BLOWN UP during the battle? This sounds extreme. Hopefully the setback isn’t as bad as it seems at the moment to the special-effects crew.
Blimey! This is dreadful. Nobody’s hurt that’s the main thing :) but the bloody set!!!!!! Ah!!!! 40 minutes to put out, that’s a lot of fire.
Hope we get to see that on the special features or something, or is that sick of me to suggest? Ahh well. Sounds good. Just hope Yates doesn’t fudge this film up!!!! Grrrrrrr
Oh no this is bad! But I’ms so glad no one was hurt. It’s crazy that it took 40 minutes to put the fire out… it must’ve been a huge fire. I feel bad for the poor special effects crew.
I’m so glad nobody was hurt, but this is dreadful!! knowing the crew that works on HP, the set was probably outstanding!!! so much work and effort, too! I hope they make the best of this… :’(( BESTWISHES xx
blow up hogwarts! how could such a thing happen. there has to be some magic that prevents it from happening the founders were some of the powerful wizards of their time. plus 16 years later their kids are going there. if they destroy it who would rebuild it.
That sucks soo much. I’m glad no onw got hurt, but it is probably going to be a lot of money to repair everything else back :( Hope nothing else goes wrong!
Wow, I’m glad no one was hurt and I hope they can get all of the special effects repaired/replenished/straightened out soon! This is one of those cases in which I wish magic actually existed…