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WALLACE AND GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WAREHOUSE
Fire destroys 30 years of history
By Richard Smith
THE entire history of the Wallace and Gromit film empire was destroyed yesterday in a huge warehouse blaze.
All the plasticine models, props and sets used in the duo's films and the hit movie Chicken Run went up in flames at Aardman Animation's Bristol depot.
The fire came on the day the British production company's latest movie, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit, topped the US box office chart.
The eagerly-anticipated film made £9.1million at the weekend.
Treasured sets from the past, including those used in A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave were lost along with models of kids' TV icon Morph.
But last night Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park revealed that at least one version of the two main stars had survived.
He said the pair were safe and well and had been sheltering in his suitcase during the blaze.
He added: "These are the Wallace and Gromit from the film. They have been with me on a world tour. I keep them safe in a suitcase."
Nick, 46, travelling to Norway to promote the movie, said: "Apparently we have lost things like Wallace and Gromit in their sidecar." The alarm was raised at 5.30am when flames were seen leaping 100ft from the Victorian depot.
Fifty firefighters were unable to prevent the roof and upper storeys collapsing. Fire investigators were last night probing the cause. Arson has not been ruled out.
Aardman spokesman Arthur Sheriff said: "Today was supposed to be a celebration. Instead our whole history has been wiped out."
But Park was philosophical about the loss in comparison to the Pakistan earthquake.
"Even though it's precious stuff and dreadful for the company, in light of other tragedies it's not a big deal," he said.
Peter Sallis - the voice of Wallace - expressed his sadness. The 84-year-old actor said: "I'm shocked and terribly sorry."
Nick Park started making animations in his parents' attic in Preston, Lancs, and had his first cartoon shown on the BBC aged 15.
The 1989 Wallace and Gromit film, A Grand Day Out, took him six years to complete.
Sets from the latest film had not yet been moved to the depot.
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Fire destroys 30 years of history
By Richard Smith
THE entire history of the Wallace and Gromit film empire was destroyed yesterday in a huge warehouse blaze.
All the plasticine models, props and sets used in the duo's films and the hit movie Chicken Run went up in flames at Aardman Animation's Bristol depot.
The fire came on the day the British production company's latest movie, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit, topped the US box office chart.
The eagerly-anticipated film made £9.1million at the weekend.
Treasured sets from the past, including those used in A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave were lost along with models of kids' TV icon Morph.
But last night Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park revealed that at least one version of the two main stars had survived.
He said the pair were safe and well and had been sheltering in his suitcase during the blaze.
He added: "These are the Wallace and Gromit from the film. They have been with me on a world tour. I keep them safe in a suitcase."
Nick, 46, travelling to Norway to promote the movie, said: "Apparently we have lost things like Wallace and Gromit in their sidecar." The alarm was raised at 5.30am when flames were seen leaping 100ft from the Victorian depot.
Fifty firefighters were unable to prevent the roof and upper storeys collapsing. Fire investigators were last night probing the cause. Arson has not been ruled out.
Aardman spokesman Arthur Sheriff said: "Today was supposed to be a celebration. Instead our whole history has been wiped out."
But Park was philosophical about the loss in comparison to the Pakistan earthquake.
"Even though it's precious stuff and dreadful for the company, in light of other tragedies it's not a big deal," he said.
Peter Sallis - the voice of Wallace - expressed his sadness. The 84-year-old actor said: "I'm shocked and terribly sorry."
Nick Park started making animations in his parents' attic in Preston, Lancs, and had his first cartoon shown on the BBC aged 15.
The 1989 Wallace and Gromit film, A Grand Day Out, took him six years to complete.
Sets from the latest film had not yet been moved to the depot.
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