Fire on Harry Potter Set
By Beth Hannan Rimmels
A fire broke out Feb. 22 on the set of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. No injuries were reported but the fire near a railway bridge in Scotland shut down production and local residents were evacuated. The blaze spread to 100 acres before being put out by firefighters. A "Hogwarts Express" scene was being filmed when fire broke out. There is no word as to when filming will resume. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, based on the book by J.K. Rowling, is scheduled for a summer 2004 release.
In other news it's been confirmed that Irish actor Michael Gambon will take over the role of Professor Dumbledore. The headmaster of Hogwarts was previously played by the late Richard Harris, who died last year shortly before the release of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.