Fire officials said a report of the blaze in the interior of the building, corner of State and Main streets, was received about 2:30 a.m. The blaze was extinguished by 3:05 a.m., although that intersection was closed to traffic until about 6:15 a.m.

The bank is being used this week as a location for the motion picture, "Righteous Kill," starring Hollywood tough guys Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, who portray police detectives on the trail of a serial killer. Also starring is rap star 50 Cent.

Cid Swank, the publicist for the film, was at the scene of the blaze this morning. She said that the fire will put a dent in the production schedule. "No one was injured, but extensive damage was done to the set," she said. "Filming will not take place today in order to assess equipment damage."

"The interior of the bank was being used for a nightclub scene — a club in Harlem," Swank said.

The front windows of the Beaux Arts building were broken, although both the interior and the exterior appeared to have escaped serious damage. The building was formerly headquarters for the defunct Mechanics & Farmers Savings Bank, which was taken over by banking giant Chase in August 1991. The building has been shuttered since then.

City officials have envisioned the structure as part of a downtown transportation hub, although that idea has not yet materialized.

One firefighter still on the scene this morning said that although the Fire Department's arson squad is investigating the blaze, a preliminary assessment seems to indicate it was caused by a malfunctioning battery charger that may have overheated.

Fire officials said a report of the blaze in the interior of the building, at the corner of Main and Bank streets, was received about 2:30 a.m. The blaze was extinguished by 3:05 a.m., although that intersection was closed to traffic until about 6:15 a.m.

Fire Inspector Steve Vitka said Thursday afternoon that he's investigating the fire.

"I don't believe it to be malicious in intent," he said.

The former bank is being used this week for the motion picture, "Righteous Kill," starring Hollywood tough guys Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, who portray police detectives on the trail of a serial killer. Also starring is rap star 50 Cent.

Cid Swank, the publicist for the film, was at the scene of the blaze Thursday morning. She said that the fire will put a dent in the production schedule. "No one was injured, but extensive damage was done to the set," she said. "Filming will not take place today in order to assess equipment damage."

"The interior of the bank was being used for a nightclub scene — a club in Harlem," Swank said.

The front windows of the Beaux Arts building were broken, although both the interior and the exterior appeared to have escaped serious damage. The building was formerly headquarters for the defunct Mechanics & Farmers Savings Bank, which was taken over by banking giant Chase in August 1991. The building has been shuttered since then.

City officials have envisioned the structure as part of a downtown transportation hub, although that idea has not yet materialized.

One firefighter still on the scene this morning said that although the Fire Department's Fire Marshal Division is investigating the blaze, a preliminary assessment seems to indicate it was caused by a malfunctioning battery charger that may have overheated.

Engines 1, 4, 3, 6 and 7, ladder trucks 5 and 6, and the Rescue 5 truck were dispatched to the scene to battle the fire.