Firefighter Killed In Fire At Harlem Movie Set, Officials Say

HARLEM, NY — A firefighter was killed responding to a 5-alarm fire that broke out Thursday night at a Harlem building being used as a set for a movie starring Edward Norton and Bruce Willis, fire officials and a report said.

Michael Davidson, 37, responded to a fire in the basement of a five-story building on St. Nicholas Avenue and West 149th Street shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement. Davidson, of Floral Park, was assigned to the nozzle when he got separated from firefighters inside the "rapidly deteriorating fire conditions," Nigro said.

Firefighters recovered Davidson's body and he was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, fire officials said. He was a 15-year FDNY veteran of Engine Company 69 in Manhattan and had been cited for bravery and life-saving actions four times in his career, Nigro said.

"Firefighter Davidson bravely battled many fires and responded to countless calls for help from New Yorkers throughout his 15 years of dedicated service," Commissioner Nigro said in a statement. "Our department and our entire city mourn this tragic loss of a very brave Firefighter."

Davidson comes from a family of firefighters, officials said. His father Robert was a 26-year veteran of the FDNY and his brother Eric is an 11-year veteran of fire engine 88 in the Bronx, officials said. Davidson is survived by his wife Eileen, three daughters ages seven, three, and one and a son, age six, fire officials said.

The building where the fire broke out was being used as a set for the upcoming Bruce Willis and Edward Norton film "Motherless Brooklyn," according to a statement from the film's producers. The movie crew "immediately alerted the fire department" after noticing smoke coming into the set from below them, the producers said in a statement.

"To our great sorrow, we now know that a NYC firefighter lost his life battling the blaze that grew, and our hearts ache in solidarity with his family," the producers said in a statement. "New York City firefighters truly are the bravest in the world. We watched firsthand with astonishment as they charged into the smoke to make sure all were safely out and then fought to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading, putting their lives on the line as they do every day."

The fire was placed under control shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday, fire officials said. City fire marshals will investigate the cause of the fire, officials said.

Photo courtesy FDNY