Norton ‘in awe’ of the firefighters
AIR MASK WAS DISLODGED
ACTOR-DIRECTOR Edward Norton, after seeing real heroes in action on his Harlem movie set, vowed Saturday to assist the young family of firefighter Michael Davidson.
Norton delivered lengthy Instagram posts to refute inaccurate reports about the deadly Thursday night fire and express his admiration for the fearless FDNY.
“I have never witnessed firsthand that kind of bravery,” said Norton. “I’m in awe of that kind of selfless courage. It’s devastating to contemplate that one of the men we watched charging in there lost his life.”
The three-time Oscar nominee said he intends to create a fund to benefit the firefighter’s family, with details to come in the future.
“Please send a prayer of thanks for the spirit and courage of Michael Davidson,” wrote Norton, star of “The Hulk” and “Birdman.” The fireman left behind a widow and four kids between the ages of 1 and 7.
Norton recounted how a crew member smelled smoke while shooting the movie “Motherless Brooklyn,” based on the Jonathan Lethem book.
“It was he and others on the set who acted decisively and quickly to locate the source of the smoke, evacuate cast and crew, call the fire department,” said Norton.
Norton’s statement also refuted reports that the blaze began on the set and other inaccuracies.
“It appears to have started in the basement cellar of the building we were working in,” said Norton. “It has been reported that I was the one who smelled smoke and raised an alarm. This is incorrect. I was ... setting up a shot outside the building.”
Norton credited the rapid response of the movie’s crew and the FDNY for sparing the lives of residents trapped inside the burning residence. “Had our team not noticed the situation and responded and alerted the fire department with the speed they did, I believe the residents of the building above would have perished,” he said.