Tyler Perry's Pricey Movie Studio Hit by Fire

Tyler Perry's Pricey Movie Studio Hit by Fire, Tyler Perry thanks firefighters who battled studio blaze, Actor-mogul Tyler Perry's complex is engulfed before 100-plus firefighters defeat the blaze. A 4-alarm fire at Tyler Perry's studios in Atlanta, Georgia, burned incessantly Tuesday night into early Wednesday as more than 100 local firefighters were called to battle the blaze.

One building at the multi-million dollar, 200,000-square -foot studio was damaged, but the cause is not yet known.

Perry, who Forbes ranked entertainment's highest paid man last year when he received an estimated $130 million in pay, released a statement through a publicist:

Atlanta firefighters responded immediately to a fire which damaged the backlot façade of one of the buildings at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. We are grateful that there were no injuries, and that 99 percent of the damage is limited to the backlot facade. Mr. Perry wishes to express his heartfelt thanks to the Atlanta fire department for their professionalism in their quick response and limiting the damage.

Celebrity friends of Perry have taken to Twitter to show support, including Kerry Washington and Oprah Winfrey:

I also like to thank my friend and younger big brother @tylerperry; his backlot studio was damaged by fire last night. #ThankYouGame

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) May 2, 2012

Perry was seen speaking with Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran at the scene but did not speak with reporters. Tyler Perry Studio employees who were there said they were instructed not to speak with reporters. (Security at the studios is known to be extremely tight and employees sign confidentiality agreements.)

via: yahoo