The Penguin Comic-Con Activation Evacuated After Fire Breaks Out on Roof

July 2024 · 5 minute read

UPDATE: The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department released a statement Saturday regarding the fire that broke out in the building hosting the San Diego Comic-Con activation for HBO’s “The Penguin.”

In the statement, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said “no one was hurt” and “the cause of the fire was accidental.” They also disclosed that the estimated damage to the “structure, contents and neighboring building” was approximately $1.6 million.

“San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Engine 80 was the first crew on the scene. They found heavy black smoke covering three building rooftops. They began investigating to find the source of the smoke,” the statement read. “They discovered a cooking fire from the steakhouse located at 939 4th Avenue had extended to the roof. The smoke traveled into three stories of residential units. All residential units were searched and evacuated.”

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The statement continued: “A separate team was tasked with alerting 50 displaced AirBnB guests via wireless electronic alerting. Many visitors responded to the message to claim their belongings and receive assistance from the Red Cross.”

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PREVIOUSLY: A fire broke out in the building hosting the San Diego Comic-Con activation for the HBO series ”The Penguin,” causing the venue to be evacuated on Friday evening. The alarm was sounded in the midst of the press preview for the activation. Members of the media, including reporters from Variety, were escorted outside by officials at roughly 7:30 PM. Update: The activation is now back up and running. There were no injuries.

A representative for the San Diego Police Department confirms that a three-alarm fire was reported at the venue on 5th Avenue and E Street in the city’s downtown area. The fire began in a Brazilian steakhouse that was also in the building. Authorities remain on site to ventilate the building. No injuries have been reported as of 8:30 p.m. local time.

A fire broke out on the roof of the building hosting the Comic-Con activation for HBO's "The Penguin." Members of the media and actors were promptly evacuated from the premises. https://t.co/hZXn3f1mSw pic.twitter.com/W2vkkQHb9f

— Variety (@Variety) July 27, 2024

The multi-level installation for “The Penguin” involved an elaborate, immersive experience that put attendees inside the seedy and cavernous criminal hang-out dive known as the Iceberg Lounge, first seen in the 2022 film “The Batman.” The HBO crime series is a spin-off of the Matt Reeves-directed blockbuster, with Colin Farrell reprising his role as the villainous gangster Oswald Cobblepot. The Comic-Con activation represents the most lavish promotional push yet for the DC Comics series.

Multiple actors involved in “The Penguin” activation were also evacuated from the premises, and were shepherded outside of the venue by fire and police officials.

Fire engines arrived at Comic-Con after a fire broke out during the press preview for HBO's "The Penguin." pic.twitter.com/vzoQ7U6wiF

— Variety (@Variety) July 27, 2024

At least four fire engines rushed to the scene within minutes, and San Diego Police cleared the space.

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