Saints and Sinners Go Up in Flames in Punisher Movie

A massive propane explosion spit a six-story pillar of flame into the downtown sky Friday at 8:17 p.m.

It toppled a towering, Olympic- size torch, flipped over an AC Cobra sports car and spread shattered glass and charred debris over a block of
A massive propane explosion spit a six-story pillar of flame into the downtown sky Friday at 8:17 p.m.

It toppled a towering, Olympic- size torch, flipped over an AC Cobra sports car and spread shattered glass and charred debris over a block of pavement.

The ground shook briefly, and as the smoke settled, spectators clapped and shouted ``awesome.''

No one was hurt. It was a carefully planned movie stunt at the front of the square building at 400 N. Ashley Drive.

The former Bank of America office was made over into a swanky nightclub called Saints & Sinners for ``The Punisher,'' the Marvel Comics-based action adventure being filmed in Tampa.

After shooting inside the pseudo disco all week, the crew was ready to leave with a bang.

``We used propane and black powder,'' said pyrotechnic effects chief Kevin Harris, who is based in Fort Lauderdale. ``We couldn't use gasoline because of all the shrubbery and trees around here. We used a pneumatic device to flip the car because there's a parking garage underneath it.''

More than 200 spectators gathered to see it. Most watched from about a block away, from in front of The Tampa Museum of Art. Others stood in a parking lot at Ashley and Twiggs Street, which has been turned into ``Saint Motors'' for the movie.

The fictional auto sales lot is owned in the film by Howard Saint, who also owns the club and is a bad guy portrayed by John Travolta.

Neither Travolta nor Thomas Jane, who plays the vengeful, crime-fighting Punisher, was present for the explosion. But both were scheduled to work later Friday night to finish up scenes at that location.

Judy Ray and Liz Hopkins, both of Tampa, work at an accounting firm on the 26th floor of the round high-rise to which the fake night club is attached. ``We watched them build it inside,'' Ray said. ``It took a couple of weeks. They put in a bar, a dance floor and a whole new club on the mezzanine. There's a lot of detail.''

Hopkins added, ``Now I know why movies cost so much to make.''

About 8 p.m., Ashley was shut down from Zack Street to Kennedy Boulevard.

``Please, no flash photography,'' location worker Andrew Patterson implored the crowd minutes before the blast.

A slight hush awaited the moment as Patterson announced, ``We're rolling.''

Flames flashed into the clear night, followed instantly by a thunderous boom and the crash of the collapsing tower.

Then calm returned as awed fans walked away, satisfied with an exceptionally bright glance at filmmaking magic.
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9/27/2003
The Tampa Tribune