 Production on the film was temporarily shut down after a fire destroyed several soundstages at Paramount Studios , one of which was adjacent to the set for the Genesis planet . Initially , the set 's pyrotechnics were suspected of causing the fire , but the cause was ruled to be arson . Shatner was among the cast members who grabbed fire hoses to stop the flames . Correll hoped the place would burn down so that he would get his chance to film in Hawaii . While most of the set was undamaged , holes in the side of the building had to be covered with heavy black curtains to prevent outside light from leaking in . 
