UPDATE: Late Wednesday morning, a spokeswoman for the studios issued the following statement: "Atlanta firefighters responded immediately to a fire which damaged the backlot façade of one of the buildings at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. We are grateful that there were no injuries, and that 99 percent of the damage is limited to the backlot facade. Mr. Perry wishes to express his heartfelt thanks to the Atlanta fire department for their professionalism in their quick response and limiting the damage."
EARLIER:
Last night a four-alarm fire broke out at Tyler Perry's Atlanta film studio, requiring the response of more than 100 firefighters, 13 engines and 12 trucks, the Los Angeles Times reports. By late Tuesday night the fire was under control, and the Atlanta Fire Department said there were no reported injuries.
From the Los Angeles Times:
"As far as I know, [Perry] is OK — there was a report that he was on the scene, but I didn't see him," [Capt. Jolyon] Bundrige told The Times.
It is unknown what caused the fire, and firefighters on the scene were continuing to investigate the source Tuesday evening, Bundrige said.
Perry's Hollywood connection has been principally with Lionsgate Entertainment, with whom the filmmaker has had a long-standing relationship. The filmmaker's next movie, "Madea's Witness Protection" — in which he will reprise his role as a sassy, plus-size grandmother — will be released by Lionsgate on June 29. Perry is currently in post-production on "The Marriage Counselor," which is set to hit theaters next January. TBS also ordered 35 additional episodes of Perry's sitcom "For Better or Worse" in February.
Lionsgate had no comment Tuesday night on how the fire may affect production.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that on Wednesday morning, firefighters were still at Tyler Perry Studios, watching for hot spots and trying to determine what caused the blaze.
4-Alarm Fire Damages Tyler Perry Studios: MyFoxATLANTA.com
Read more at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Los Angeles Times.
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