Charlize Theron escapes set fire

Actres Charlize Theron escaped a set fire unharmed after an umbrella burst into flames. The actress was wearing a “highly flammable” dress at the time, and tried to help put the fire out.

“During the first setup at the shoot, the make-up artist stated screaming, ‘Fire!’ We all looked over and a huge umbrella was on fire and pieces of it were falling onto the ground,” photographer Robert Ascroft said. “We had just moved the fire extinguisher from the back of the previous shot we set up, so we knew exactly where it was located.”

Theron tried to help put out the fire, but was told to stay back. “Charlize, wearing a big red dress with feathers, began moving towards the fire as if she was going to help put it out, but I insisted she stay back,” he added. “My assistant put out the fire and everyone was safe. What a way to start the first shot though! We joked that I had to bring up the intensity for our second shoot together!”

Recent reports are suggesting that Theron is engaged to longtime boyfriend Stuart Townsend.