Universal Studios Backlot Fire
Fire broke out at Universal Studios in Los Angeles about 7:45 a.m. this morning, in the same area as a 1990 fire. That fire cost the studio about $50 million in damages.
About 400 firefighters, and water-dropping helicopters, were required to extinguish the fire. Low warer pressure and winds hampered firefighting and the fire spread rapidly. The studio will be open for business on Monday. Tours were suspended for Sunday.
The town square from the movie “Back to the Future”, including the famous clock tower, was destroyed.
CBS’ “Ghost Whisperer” suffered damages to two of its eight locations. Shooting for next year’s shows is not expected to be affected.
Also burned was the King Kong exhibit included on the Universal Studios tour. It featured a thirty-foot King Kong which moved and roared.
A soundstage that featured a New York City streetscape seems to have been where the fire originated. The set has been seen in many movies and television productions.
The most potentially devestating loss was a video vault containing 40-50,000 tapes of Universal television shows and movies. Firefighters were able to save many of the tapes. Universal says that nothing has been lost that was irreplaceable.
References:
- AP: Fire at Universal Studios destroys sets, videos
- Reuters: Universal eyes fire damage, but business on track
- LA Times: Fire’s effect on productions will be negligible, Universal says
- LA Times: What burned in the Universal fire
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