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

[Dustysage]

We have some photos up. More soon:
http://micechat.com/2008/06/universa...use-destroyed/

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Wow you guys are on top of this story!

[Dustysage]

Thanks to Snow White Raven and Sir Clinksalot, we have some amazing shots of the fire damaged areas of Universal.

This one says it all

The rest of the pictures are here: http://micechat.com/2008/06/universa...use-destroyed/

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[Snow_White_Raven]

Ok so I am home now and yes you do drive very close to the damanged areas on the tram tour... The moment you start to head towards the tram you can see the devistation... As I was leaving the park today I was bombarded by new crews trying to talk to me about the things that I saw while in the park. I blew them off mostly because I don't think its highly appropriate to bum rush a guest... But anyways relatively speaking the tram tour is not greaty effected... We drove down some different areas due to the fire but got to see stuff that previously you just drove by instead of actually entering...

[sir clinksalot]

^ I LOVED that we got to see Denver street (this is located behind Earthquake) and I got some great pictures of it. Haven't been that way in quite a few years.

[disneytim]

Details have not been released, but the Universal Studios fire has been ruled accidental by Los Angeles County fire officials.

[disneytim]

Probe reveals Universal Studios fire an accident
Fire official has not revealed specific cause of blaze
The Associated Press

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - A Los Angeles County fire official says the fire that ripped through sets and attractions at Universal Studios has been ruled an accident.

Capt. Mike Brown said Monday that a preliminary investigation has found that the fire that erupted about 4:30 a.m. Sunday was an accident. Brown has not revealed the specific cause.

The fire began on a streetscape featuring New York brownstone facades at the 400-acre property.

It then destroyed a King Kong attraction, the courthouse square from “Back to the Future” and a streetscape featured in “Spider-Man 2” and “Transformers.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24938578

[mickeymark34]

It is unfortunate and sad that this accident has destroyed some iconic attractions at Universal Studios. It would be cool, if they could somehow redo King Kong to the theme of Peter Jackson's movie. Like have the tram travel through a lush jungle area and then, when making a turn, the tram is in-between Kong and a V-Rex that are facing off to fight one another, roaring and hissing at each other, with the tram right in the middle of the chaos. That is just my idea, as stupid as may sound.

[Dustysage]

Originally Posted by mickeymark34

It is unfortunate and sad that this accident has destroyed some iconic attractions at Universal Studios. It would be cool, if they could somehow redo King Kong to the theme of Peter Jackson's movie. Like have the tram travel through a lush jungle area and then, when making a turn, the tram is in-between Kong and a V-Rex that are facing off to fight one another, roaring and hissing at each other, with the tram right in the middle of the chaos. That is just my idea, as stupid as may sound.

Not a stupid idea at all Mark. While sad, it is also an opportunity for Universal to make some creative changes that they otherwise might not have bothered with. I really hope the rebuild the NY sets as there were, but I'd like to see some freshening of the King Kong attraction.

[Rex Dopey24]

wow just wow.

[Datameister]

I'm very glad that apparently the courthouse wasn't destroyed. Much of the square was, but not the iconic courthouse itself. So sad about the other ruined areas, though.

[In the Parks]

As I understand it, the "clock" that sits on top of the Courthouse Square is up when there is NO filming, but is pulled down when filming is planned, especially something like Ghost Whisperer, who uses the area on a regular basis.

Pull the "clock" down, it looks like a regular building... Add the Clock Tower on the top, it is good for the Tram Tour, but not good for filming...

[Darkbeer]

Here is a special update from Monday, including a lot of photos of the New York area...

http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/in-the-parks/412-6-3-08-universal-studios-hollywood-backlot-fire-update-news-photos.html

[kelly]

Originally Posted by Darkbeer

Here is a special update from Monday, including a lot of photos of the New York area...

http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=412

that is just amazing on all the destruction.. WOW

[DoctorQ9]

My question is this - since Universal Studios has its own fire department, how did this fire manage to get out of control? I can understand the sets and facades going quickly, but both the Film Archive and King Kong Attraction had fire suppression systems. Something went horribly awry with this fire and I look forward to a full investigation.