The Penguin immersive experience at San Diego Comic-Con Friday evening was evacuated after a fire broke out in a nearby building.
In a video taken by an on-site staffer for The Hollywood Reporter, a large crowd of people could be seen being directed to exit the Bloom Nightclub, where the event was taking place, and gathering outside on the street. Several firetrucks and law enforcement officials were also seen in the area.
According to a rep for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, firefighters responded to a call just before 7:30 p.m. PT for a fire at 939 4th Ave. The rep said it wasn’t a large fire but that it took some time to contain the flames. No injuries reported at this time. According to the department, a cooking fire began at a steakhouse located at that address and extended into three stories of residential units, as well as two buildings next to it.
The Penguin fan event has since reopened.
The multi-level installation celebrated HBO’s upcoming series, The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell. The fan experience recreates Gotham’s iconic Iceberg Lounge from 2022’s The Batman as well as the upcoming show. The installment features special effects, haptic technology, interactivity and exclusive content.
The evacuation comes less than 24 hours before HBO’s splashy Hall H panel touting the show, a spinoff of The Batman.
“We are incredibly excited to tap into the rich and passionate fanbase in San Diego this year by introducing them to our new series, The Penguin,” Pia Barlow, executive vice president, originals marketing, HBO and Max, said in a statement prior to the installment. “With our in-world activations, fans will have the chance to engross themselves in the underground world of Oz Cobbs’s Gotham, picking up where we left off in Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman,’ as we look to generate excitement for the series premiering this September.”
THR has reached out to HBO for comment.
July 27, 8:15 a.m. Updated with more details from the San Diego Fire Rescue Department.
