Some Brooklyn residents are fighting to save a historic smokestack in Midwood from being torn down.

The smokestack is part of the historic Vitagraph Company, which was known for making silent films. The company opened in Brooklyn in 1907 and is said to be the first major studio to do full-length films.

The property was recently bought by developers and scaffolding went up around the smokestack, alarming residents. Some thought the developers were trying to preserve the smokestack and others thought it was to bring the smokestack down.

Developers say the scaffolding is up just for protection at the moment, as there are some loose bricks.

A petition was started to save the Vitagraph smokestack.

Some say they eventually would like to see a museum celebrating the historic film industry.