Saturday, July 11, 2026

Tragedy: NYC Firefighter Dies in Massive Fire on Harlem Set of Edward Norton Movie “Motherless Brooklyn”

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There are numerous reports this morning of a tragedy in Harlem on a movie set. Michael Davidson of Harlem’s Engine Company 69–a 15 year veteran of the FDNY– died after being separated from his company on the set of Edward Norton’s “Motherless Brooklyn.”

Davidson is survived his wife and four young daughters. FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro told reporters at a press conference: “Our entire city mourns his loss.”

According to reports, Norton spotted the fire coming out of the basement of the old St. Nick’s Jazz Pub at 773 St. Nicholas Ave. He called 911. “Our hearts ache in solidarity with his family,” said Norton in a statement.

It’s unclear whether the fire was caused by the film company or something else happening on the block.

Davidson had 15 years with the FDNY and had been cited for bravery four times in his career.

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz411. He wrote the FOX411 column on FoxNews.com from 1999 to 2009, where he covered Michael Jackson, and previously wrote the "Intelligencer" column at New York magazine in the mid-1990s, where he covered the O.J. Simpson trial. He also edited Fame magazine. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Vogue, Details, and the Miami Herald. He is a voting member of the Critics Choice Awards (Film and Television branches), and his movie reviews are tracked by Rotten Tomatoes. With D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, he co-produced the 2002 documentary "Only the Strong Survive," which screened at Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

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