San Diego, California – The Penguin immersive experience at San Diego Comic-Con faced an unexpected turn of events Friday evening when a fire caused the event to be evacuated. The fire broke out in a nearby building, prompting a swift response from firefighters and law enforcement officials.
Video footage captured by a staffer on-site showed a large crowd of attendees being guided to exit the Bloom Nightclub where the event was being held, gathering outside on the street as firetrucks and officials arrived at the scene. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed that they responded to the fire at 939 4th Ave. just before 7:30 p.m. PT. While the fire was not large, it did take some time to bring under control. Following the incident, The Penguin fan event eventually reopened its doors to eager fans.
The multilevel installation was a celebration of HBO’s upcoming series, The Penguin, featuring Colin Farrell in the lead role. At the event, fans were treated to a recreation of Gotham’s iconic Iceberg Lounge from the film “The Batman,” along with exclusive content, special effects, haptic technology, and interactive elements.
The evacuation occurred less than 24 hours before HBO’s anticipated Hall H panel showcasing The Penguin, a spin-off of “The Batman.” Executives from HBO expressed their enthusiasm about introducing the new series to fans at Comic-Con, immersing them in the world of Oz Cobbs’s Gotham.
Pia Barlow, executive vice president of originals marketing for HBO and Max, highlighted the excitement surrounding The Penguin series premiering in September. The activation aimed to engage fans with the underground world of Gotham and generate buzz for the upcoming show.
As the event unfolded at Comic-Con, questions arose about the potential impact of the evacuation on the promotional efforts for The Penguin series. The safety of attendees remained a top priority as authorities responded swiftly to ensure everyone’s well-being.