Bond studio destroyed in blaze

A HUGE fire devastated the set of the latest James Bond film yesterday.

Up to 60 firefighters tackled the blaze at Pinewood studios, in Buckinghamshire.

The roof of the warehouse-like sound stage — where filming for Casino Royale was said to have recently finished — caved in.

Witnesses said smoke from the blaze, which took firefighters 90 minutes to bring under control, could be seen up to 10 miles away.

The film, which reportedly has a budget of $72 million (€105m), is partly based in Venice.

The vast 007 stage had been transformed into a replica of the Italian city.

Speaking at the scene, Fraser Pearson, of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the badly damaged set was a “sorry” sight.

He said oxyacetylene gas canisters may have exploded inside the building and there were fears of further blasts.