Universal Studios Hollywood BackLot has a major fire - 6/1/08

[D.O.M.]

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.co...music-history/

They might have lost a lot of musical history in the vault. No way to know right now though. Hopefully some details will emerge soon.

[Moonliner]

While I suppose they will route the trams around the burnt out area I still think it would be cool to keep them on the tour. Clean up what you need to for safety sake, then let the trams in so people get to see the damage and the rebuilding effort. Now that would be interesting.

[sir clinksalot]

According to the universal website, all attractions including the tram tour will be open today. We'll see. I'm thinking of trying to get over there and get some pictures.

Were watching Channel 5 news, they have a picture of it this morning, it looks like the courthouse may not have burned. Were trying to determine if that's the case.

[disneytim]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

Were watching Channel 5 news, they have a picture of it this morning, it looks like the courthouse may not have burned. Were trying to determine if that's the case.

A number of early reports yesterday said the courthouse had been destroyed. While the remainder of the square appears to be a total loss, more recent news reports say the courthouse was only damaged. To what extent, however, has not been made clear.

There's a lot of talk this morning about low water pressure hindering firefighters' efforts to put out the blaze. From MSN:

Firefighters patrolled fire-damaged Universal Studios early Monday for flare-ups while authorities considered whether the blaze that gutted some of Hollywood's most famous backdrops was made worse by low water pressure.

At one point, Sunday's fire was two city blocks wide, and low water pressure forced firefighters to get reserves from lakes and ponds on the 400-acre property. The blaze was contained to the back lot, but burned for more than 12 hours before the final flames were extinguished.

"The water pressure situation was a challenge," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said. "This fire moved extremely fast."

County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said authorities would investigate the water problems to see whether they reflect a larger shortfall in the area.

"There's no question that there was a lack of adequate water pressure at least in the perception of a lot of firefighters," he said. "We're going to find out what the problem was."

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article...17042&GT1=7701

[sir clinksalot]

I'm going to go get ready to head to the park. Should have some pictures by the early afternoon.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Originally Posted by krystledm

i just realized...
yes its an awful loss...but who do you think will be getting all that smoke?




thats right, all us in the Central Valley

As if our air isn't awful enough, now were gonna get that too....just crap....

Quit your whining, I live about 1/2 a mile away and the smoke blew straight over in my direction yesterday. Had to stay indoors with a/c on to avoid breathing burnt videotape and Kong fur smoke.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Originally Posted by disneytim

FoxNews, citing the blog site www.slashfilm.com, reports that Universal Studios fully intends to rebuild Courthouse Square and New York Street. Both were rebuilt according to the original blueprints after the 1990 backlot fire.

http://www.foxnews.com/blogentertain...xsUCre3huaR58T

Many great movies were filmed, at least in part, on New York Street and Courthouse Square including "Dirty Harry," "Spiderman," "The Music Man," "Spartacus" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." The LA Times gives a detailed history of the famous sets and confirms Universal's intent to rebuild them.



http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,1821458.story

Interesting, thanks!

[Dustysage]

Just got a text message from Universal Studios. The Tram Tour line is packed. Lots of interested look-e-loos. We should have reports and pictures a little later.

[disneytim]

Originally Posted by Dustysage

Just got a text message from Universal Studios. The Tram Tour line is packed. Lots of interested look-e-loos. We should have reports and pictures a little later.

Wow, what a surprise!

Any word on how close the trams will be getting to the damaged areas?

[Dustysage]

We have a friend in line right now. As soon as he gets off the tram I'm sure we'll have an answer about that Tim.

[Legally Brunette]

Originally Posted by Dustysage

We have a friend in line right now. As soon as he gets off the tram I'm sure we'll have an answer about that Tim.

I LOVE IT!!! MiceChat-always on the pulse of the latest amusement park related story

[kelly]

Originally Posted by Dustysage

We have a friend in line right now. As soon as he gets off the tram I'm sure we'll have an answer about that Tim.

thanks dusty, please keep us posted.. DIDNt hear too much about it here in vegas.. just a little blurb on the news

[Dustysage]

Trams are running right past part of the burn area - about 20 feet away. There are still about 20 fire trucks within view of the trams. The Courthouse (of Back to the Future fame) was damaged but still standing!

Pictures and a full report will be up later.

[disneytim]

The latest from the Associated Press:

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Fire-damaged Universal Studios reopened Monday as investigators examined the ruins of some of the most famous sets in Hollywood to find the cause of the spectacular weekend blaze.

When the gates opened, hundreds of people streamed into the park, which was closed Sunday after the early morning fire.

On the first tram tour of the day, the guide mentioned the fire and thanked firefighters for their work. Visitors could smell smoke and see the fire damage minutes into the tour.

The fire, which began early Sunday, tore through the back lot as firefighters struggled to overcome low water pressure and an overwhelmed sprinkler system.

The cause of the blaze had not yet been determined.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...Z72sgD9122VAO1

[mcow1]

Originally Posted by D.O.M.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.co...music-history/

They might have lost a lot of musical history in the vault. No way to know right now though. Hopefully some details will emerge soon.

Apparently, mostly untrue.
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/..._id=1003810720