THE VILLAGE - PHOENIX UP IN FLAMES

THE VILLAGE star JOACHIM PHOENIX is desperate to see director's cut footage from his new film LADDER 49 after being told he almost went up in flames in one scene.

The actor, who plays a firefighter in the film, admits he had a few close calls with controlled blazes on the set, but he had no idea he became a walking fire at one point.

He says, "The director has been telling everyone that I caught on fire. I didn't really remember this and it seems like it's something memorable and I keep asking JAY RUSSELL (director) about it and he said, 'I'll show you the footage. Your coat's on fire.'

"I remember the embers hitting my face but I guess once the floor collapsed and I fell down the coat had caught on fire.

"We always had at least five firefighters from the Baltimore City Fire Department that we were with us every day, so I felt really safe while I was working."