The huge fire at the Warner Bros Studios was on the set of new comedy show Avenue 5, it has been confirmed.
Firefighters were called to the film studios in Leavesden at 11.30pm on Wednesday (July 10) but the call was escalated and 13 more fire crews from across Hertfordshire attended to help put out the blaze.
Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries and the set was not being used at the time.
This evening (Thursday, July 11), producer of Avenue 5, series creator Armando Iannucci, said: “On behalf of the entire cast and crew of Avenue 5, I want to thank the firefighters who’ve been working tirelessly throughout the night to keep everyone and everything safe.
A fire crew in South Way, on the edge of the studios site, today
"I send my thoughts to the residents in the area who were disturbed by the night’s events. It was a beautiful set but everyone’s safety is the main priority. The season is near completion and everyone is determined to carry on."
Avenue 5 is an upcoming American science fiction comedy television series created by The Thick of It producer Armando Iannucci that is set to premiere on HBO.
It stars Blackadder and House star Hugh Laurie as Ryan Clark, captain of the Avenue 5 spaceship.
It is believed the fire at the studios has always been “under control” but three more crews arrived this morning while crews have been pumping water from a nearby canal in Hunton Bridge to help deal with the fire.
Hunton Hill Bridge and South Way have both been reopened having been shut for most of the day to allow firefighters to connect a hose between the canal and the studios.
At 2.50pm, Hertfordshire County Council confirmed the fire was out but several emergency vehicles remain on site.
HBO said: “The fire at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden has affected one of the sets of HBO’s Avenue 5. Production continues as the producers and writers assess the best plan to complete filming of the final two episodes of the series. We echo Armando Iannucci’s praise for the firefighters who brought this situation to a safe conclusion.”
Warner Bros added: “The Chief Fire Officer has confirmed that the fire which occurred on one of our sound stages, being used by the television production Avenue 5, has been fully extinguished.
The scene in Hunton Bridge today
"Our principal concern is always people’s safety and we would like to thank Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Services for all their hard work in containing the situation. All productions were able to continue working and the Studio Tour was unaffected.”
A source, who asked not to be named, told the Observer earlier today the fire was on the set of the upcoming HBO series, set on board a space tourism ship and starring Hugh Laurie.Another source told the Observer a model of a space cruise ship inside P Stage on the studios site had caught fire.
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