Tom Savini, the “Dawn of the Dead” star and celebrated horror effects artist, was left “devastated” after his childhood home caught fire Friday.
Video from outside the 79-year-old actor’s home in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh, showed thick black smoke rising into the air as firefighters responded to the Aug. 15 blaze.
At the scene, two ladders were propped against the front of the house while crews worked to contain the fire. Nearby, a bystander appeared overcome with emotion and broke down in tears.
Savini and his wife, Jodii, made it out safely, and firefighters were able to extinguish the flames before the home was completely destroyed.
“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 later told a source that he was “devastated” by the fire and the damage it caused.
The property carries significant personal history for the Pittsburgh native, who was born and raised 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.
