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New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Angry residents of NY town want HBO to cough up money for fire on set of series staring Mark Ruffalo: ‘I lost everything'
They're still hot under the collar. Feelings in an upstate New York town are continuing to smolder after a massive, 2019 fire on the set of an HBO miniseries that starred Mark Ruffalo — which is still wreaking havoc on residents as the deep-pocketed network fails to make things right, according to a new report. The explosive blaze at a car dealership that served a film location for 'I Know This Much Is True' destroyed a village landmark in Ellenville, caused an estimated $15 million in damage, and exposed locals to potentially toxic chemicals, according to the L.A. Times. Advertisement 'It comes down to this: If you hurt people, you take care of them,' said lawyer Wayne Lonstein, who has sued HBO on behalf of two neighboring families. 4 Actor Mark Ruffalo went on to win an Emmy for his role in the miniseries. The devastating blaze put dozens of locals out of jobs and damaged the homes of two next-door neighbors with children, neither of whom had the means to move out, according to the report. Advertisement 'They came to do the movie and destroyed everything,' said Pablo Ferrada Arias, 46, whose mobile home was left warped and water-damaged from the fire and efforts to put it out. 'I lost too much here: I lost money, lost time with my daughter… I lost everything,' he said, adding his 7-year-old girl developed asthma and had to move out after the blaze. 4 The fire broke out at a car dealership on the set of the show in Ellenville. But despite a fire investigation that found equipment used by HBO caused the electrical fire, HBO still hasn't compensated some victims who lost property, according to the report. Advertisement In early 2019, HBO spiffed up the Midcentury Modern-style building that housed 613 Automotive Group to depict a 1990s-era car dealership with gleaming props, including Chevrolet Camaros and Corvettes, on loan from motorheads throughout the state. Just before 1 a.m. on May 9, 2019, after a long day of filming, a small fire broke out inside the dealership after the last of HBO's crew had left for the night. It quickly spread to a mechanics' shop in the back of the business, where 55-gallon drums of oil likely caused a giant explosion, officials said. 'Every window in the place just blew out. Then it became a hell show,' recalled George Budd, Ellenville's assistant fire chief, who was first on the scene. Advertisement Although nobody was injured, the inferno ripped though the 12,000 -square-foot structure, burned for 12 hours and resulted in an estimated $15 million in property damage. 4 The fire broke out at 613 Automotive Group in Ellenville. Ulster County fire investigators later wrote in a report that the electrical fire was ignited by HBO crew members' sound equipment batteries, which were left charging overnight in the dealership's showroom, according to the paper. The blaze has since sparked finger-pointing, lawsuits and local rage directed largely at HBO, which received a $24 million state tax credit for the 90 million production, according to the report. 'The amount of money made off this film compared to the relative cost of doing the right thing is virtually meaningless to a company the size of HBO,' former state Sen. Jen Metzger told the paper. 'People's lives are at stake and that's really all that matters.' A contaminated pile of burned car parts and other junk such as blown-out oil tanks also put nearby residents at risk, according to a February 2020 New York spill report. Storm runoff from the pile of fire debris, possibly laced with toxic chemicals, drained down a slope and into Rios' backyard, the state report noted, the LA Times reported. 'It's a very hard thing for a small community to have a trauma like that,' said Steven Kelley, Ellenville Regional Hospital chief executive. 'And there was this pile of rubble still sitting there for about a year — reminding us how bad [the fire] was.' Advertisement Others who lost cars and equipment in the fire said they have yet to be compensated. 4 Some residents of the upstate town have blamed HBO for the fire. REUTERS HBO has denied it was at fault for the fire, saying an ion battery used on set malfunctioned and citing 'the negligence…of a third party,' according to the LA Times. 'HBO has been producing shows on location all around the globe for decades, always with the utmost care and respect for the local environment and community,' the company said in a statement. 'It was no different for this series. The fire was an unforeseen accident, and it took time to investigate it thoroughly.' Advertisement The company reportedly also shifted cleanup responsibility of the left-behind pile of fire debris to the owner of the car dealership. Earlier this year, HBO and its insurance companies settled claims with some parties involved, including the owner of 613 Automotive Group. In its statement, HBO also noted that the only remaining lawsuit is the one brought by the two neighboring families. Advertisement Ruffalo, meanwhile, went on to win an Emmy for his portrayal of twin brothers in the drama, which is based on Wally Lamb's 1998. Reps for Ruffalo and HBO didn't immediately return a The Post's request for comment Thursday.
Chicago Tribune
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Edward Keegan: NASCAR has embraced the Chicago backdrop, but will it return?
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race. If it sounds a bit edgy, that's certainly by design. And the race has had its challenges. First it was the smoky haze of Canadian wildfires. Then it was rain. And finally, it was the darkness of nightfall. And that was just the inaugural race in 2023. Oh, and the noise and the street closures that lasted for weeks before and after the race. And most folks who live in the immediate vicinity of the Grant Park racecourse were not NASCAR fans before the race and probably aren't now either. Like architecture, much of the appeal of motorsports is aesthetic. The cars are sleek, or at least as sleek as purpose-built vehicles molded to resemble Chevrolet Camaros, Ford Mustangs and Toyota Camrys can be. And they are as bright and colorful as each sponsor is willing. And the speed and the sound add to the spectacle. With each of these elements, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race is an exceptionally well-conceived and packaged design mirror of ourselves. Chicago's history with auto racing stretches back to the earliest automobile race held in the United States on Thanksgiving Day in 1895. Fun fact: The Jackson Park to Evanston course traversed Michigan Avenue and included two blocks that are part of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race course. Nearby Soldier Field hosted races from 1935 to 1970, including NASCAR in 1956 and 1957. More recently, the now-defunct Chicago Motor Speedway in Cicero fielded IndyCars and some of NASCAR's minor league series from 1999 to 2002, and both major series have raced at Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway, which is now owned by NASCAR. But what these races lacked was the Chicago backdrop to the racing — something NASCAR has completely embraced during the last three years. Because what's most important is how it looks on TV. Almost every sporting event held in the city, whether it's at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, Rate Field or the United Center, will show Grant Park and the Loop from a helicopter-mounted camera sometime during the event. But holding NASCAR's race in the park allows them to spotlight the city in a very particular way. Chicago's image is no longer just Willis Tower and the building formerly known as John Hancock Center. Newer tall buildings, including Trump Tower and the St. Regis, are more dominant from NASCAR's Grant Park perch. The Michigan Avenue street wall, long the classic Chicago skyline scene, has been extended in recent years by new development south of Ida B. Wells Drive including Helmut Jahn's striking 1000M, Krueck + Sexton's folded glass-faced Spertus Institute and Rafael Viñoly's distinctive, if mediocre, NEMA. And there are the older buildings along Michigan Avenue as well: Adler & Sullivan's Auditorium Building, Solon Beman's Fine Arts Building, Burnham and Root's Railway Exchange Building, and John Moutoussamy's Johnson Publishing Co. building, to name just a few. NASCAR and the Chicago Street Race highlight all of these distinctive — and very Chicago — buildings in a way that will endure. The best-known street course in the world has been in use for almost a century: the Grand Prix of Monaco in Monte Carlo. That enclave of wealth on the Mediterranean certainly doesn't need the grand prix in much the same way that Chicago doesn't need the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. But it's interesting to consider them together. The backdrop in Monaco includes the Belle Epoque Casino, the Mediterranean harbor, small shop fronts for luxury good purveyors and concrete cliffs filled with the pied-à-terre of the uber-rich. The NASCAR Chicago Street Race's background is, let's say, different. But it's just as compelling. And while Formula 1's multimillion-dollar bespoke cars reflect Monaco's place in the world economy, NASCAR's 'stock' cars are probably the best expression of Chicago. A bit brash, a bit ordinary, a lot noisy and prone to wrecks. Monaco is so good at its build that traffic navigates the racecourse within hours of on-track activity each day of the race weekend. It's too early to expect that here, but the build-out of the track and its support structures has become shorter with each year, reflecting NASCAR's efficiency and learning from experience. Finally, there's the racing itself. I had my doubts about how NASCAR's full body cars would race on this layout. But even with dreadful weather both years, it's proved to be a very entertaining track. The wide straightaways along Columbus and DuSable Lake Shore drives promote good side-by-side action and passing. Although the two one-block-long stretches on Michigan Avenue are good for photography, they are far too narrow to be either challenging or conducive to racing. But while the portion of track between them, the semicircular stretch through Congress Plaza, doesn't promote much passing, it is a great place to see up close how difficult these cars are to drive. The change in elevation — up and then down — while navigating a broad left turn really gets these cars to the edge of control, and it's quite entertaining to watch them skate through this section. And unlike the open wheel cars of IndyCar and Formula 1, not every contact between cars is likely to slow the race with a full-course yellow flag. Stock cars can often take some bumping and continue on without major incident. And it's proved to be a safe track as well. It will not be surprising if NASCAR announces in the coming days that it won't be back in Chicago next year. The initial contract runs its course with next week's race, although there are options for two additional years if NASCAR and the city agree to continue. The sanctioning body has let several other nontraditional races lapse after just a few years, and they're reportedly in talks with San Diego about a street race for 2026. Presumably there would be a lot less grit involved, but probably a lot better weather in store. Edward Keegan writes, broadcasts and teaches on architectural subjects. Keegan's biweekly architecture column is supported by a grant from former Tribune critic Blair Kamin, as administered by the not-for-profit Journalism Funding Partners. The Tribune maintains editorial control over assignments and content.
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Toyota lands second Supercars team for 2026 season
Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe. Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe. Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe.
West Australian
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Toyota lands second Supercars team for 2026 season
Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe.
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Toyota lands second Supercars team for 2026 season
Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe.
