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

[Darkbeer]

ADMIN NOTE:
Photos of the fire damaged areas have been added (06/02/08)
Full coverage of the Universal Studios fire on the MiceChat front page

Officials say a large fire is burning on a lot at Universal Studios.


Los Angeles fire Capt. Frank Reynoso says the blaze was reported just before dawn Sunday on a sound stage on a back lot. He says filming could have been going on at the time.

About 100 city and county firefighters are helping studio firefighters tackle the blaze.

Reynoso says there has been at least one explosion but the fire is contained to the back lot. Firefighters are working to ensure the flames don't spread to nearby brush.
There are no reports of any injuries.

The fire is in the New York Street area, reports have an Explosion being heard.

It is currently a Three Alarm Fire.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/bayandstate/ci_9445899

[mikeland]

CNN also has live coverage of this.

[thmprkinsder]

This is incredibly sad.

The reports keep talking about an attraction called "Cyclone" being destroyed.. what is that? I think its a mistake.

I have heard reports that the Earthquake and King Kong Attractions are burning/damaged.

[WDWImagineer]

WOW, how sad. I was watching it on CNN and the fire is progressively looking worse!

[k_peek_2000]

Me = Depressed.


However knowing it's Hollywood. When the fire is out they will be torn down and rebuilt. These sets have mostly all been destroyed before intentionally, for filming, so I am sure they will be back in rather hastly. Perhaps this could mean King Kong gets upgraded?

[Ride Warrior]

Thank God nobody was hurt...and that the fire was contained before it spread past the soundstage to historic sets. The wind could have carried it over to the ride areas as well. Universal can thank it's lucky stars, and the 100 quick responding, brave firefighters!

Thanks for filling us in, Darkbeer.

According to recently released info, some famous sets were destroyed - along with the King Kong animatronic. This is a terrible loss.

[JtnOrl]

Originally Posted by k_peek_2000

Perhaps this could mean King Kong gets upgraded?

They may not replace it, much less upgrade it.

[disneytim]

According to MSNBC/AP, King Kong is a "total loss." The fire is still burning, but it has been contained.

UNIVERSAL CITY, California - A large fire raged on a back lot at Universal Studios on Sunday, devouring several movie sets and the theme park's King Kong attraction, officials said.

The King Kong exhibit is a stop on the studio's tram tour where the giant ape bellows at passengers and artificial banana scent fills the area, studio spokesman Eliot Sekuler said.

Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Daryl Jacobs said at least one building had burned and as many as three blocks of movie facades were destroyed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24916515

Video from earlier this morning: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...6815&#24916815

[GhostHost2]

The main page of Micechat, says that the BTTF courthouse building has also been destroyed. I'm not that big of a USH Backlot tour fan, but some of the things I liked from it were the BTTF courthouse and King Kong.

This is ecspecially upsetting since the only thing that was left that was similar in any regard to USF's great Kongfrontation ride was the brief King Kong section on USH's backlot tour.

[disneytim]

Universal Studios still plans to open today. From their website:

Universal Studios Hollywood will be open today, Sunday, June 1, from 12pm (noon) to 6pm. CityWalk will also open from 12pm (noon) onwards.

Our backlot tram tour attraction will be closed today due to this morning's fire affecting some movie production facilities. All other rides, shows and attractions are operating as normal.

The backlot tram tour will be operating again tomorrow, Monday, June 2.

We look forward to entertaining you at Universal Studios Hollywood.

[GhostHost2]

Here's some pics of the fire:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Massiv...15ebecfb72e921

[disneytim]

Originally Posted by GhostHost2

The main page of Micechat, says that the BTTF courthouse building has also been destroyed.

Actually, it reports that Courthouse Square is one of the areas affected by the fire. It doesn't say how much it was damaged.

Reports thus far confirm that New York Streets, the King Kong attraction and the Video Vault have been destroyed.


UPDATE: MSNBC now confirms that Courthouse Square was among the areas destroyed by the fire.

[stitchon]

I really hope Universal returns King Kong to his rightful place. The backlot isn't the same without him.

[tiggerfan]

I checked an online US map to see if I could find the Cyclone thing they refer to in the news stories

But it does look like a lot has been destroyed.

[DisneyFan28]

they said on Ch 7 ABC news that the videos will be able to be replaced and the Film vault was untouched, but the master ed. of ther videos are gone.

Also BTTF and king kong are gone too?

Luckily noone has been hurt is the importance of this.

UPDATE:
seems the Clock tower is gone too