“Dawn of the Dead” star Tom Savini’s childhood home went up in flames Friday, leaving the horror legend “devastated.”
Footage outside the 79-year-old actor and special effects artist’s Bloomfield, Pittsburgh home shows black smoke billowing as firefighters battle the Aug. 15 blaze.
Two ladders can be seen perched against the front of the house as crews work at the scene, while a bystander appears to break down in tears nearby.
Savini and his wife, Jodii, escaped unharmed and firefighters managed to put out the flames before the entire home was lost.
“Unfortunately, @THETomSavini home did catch fire today. Tom and his wife are safe. There was damage but luckily the amazing firefighters of Pittsburgh were able to put it out before everything was lost,” a post sharing news of the fire said.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out with their concerns.”
Savini told a source he is “devastated” in the wake of the fire.
The house has deep roots for the Pittsburgh native, who was born and raised there in the city’s Italian Bloomfield neighborhood.
The home has been in his family for generations, passed from his grandfather to his father and then to Savini.
“Tom Savini had a fire in his home last night. Thankfully nobody was hurt,” Weekend of the Dead’s Facebook page stated.
“Everyone at Weekend of the Dead is thinking of Tom and Jodii at this very sad time. This is Tom’s childhood home and has passed from his grandfather to his father and to himself.”
The former Vietnam veteran is an actor, stuntman, special FX makeup artist and horror filmmaker.
Savini made his name creating some of horror’s most memorable gore, working on a string of George A. Romero films including “Dawn of the Dead,” “Day of the Dead,” “Creepshow,” “Martin,” and “Monkey Shines.”
His special effects and makeup work also includes horror staples such as “Friday the 13th,” “Maniac,” “The Burning,” “The Prowler,” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.”
He went on to direct the 1990 remake of Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” as well as three episodes of “Tales from the Darkside” and a segment of “The Theatre Bizarre.”
Savini has also spent decades in front of the camera, with acting and stunt appearances.
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