Dan F Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 A large fire is burning at the world-famous Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California. The blaze was reported before dawn on a sound stage at the film studios, said Los Angeles fire captain Frank Reynoso. More than 100 city and county firefighters are helping studio staff tackle the flames, which have caused several explosions. No injuries have been reported at the 230-acre site, which saw filming for King Kong and The War of the Worlds. Helicopters have been dropping water on to the burning structures, and television pictures showed flames leaping into the air as a thick cloud of smoke covered the site. James Barnes of the LA County Fire Department said the fire had virtually destroyed at least one building, and firefighters were battling to stop the flames from spreading to adjoining structures. He said the fire could now be affecting a King Kong ride at the studios. "There's some Hollywood history going up in smoke today and we're doing our best to minimalise the damage," he told the BBC. Reports suggest the blaze has damaged Universal's New York street scene. There are indications that the sound stage had recently been used for filming, says the BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Los Angeles. It is likely that there would have been a good deal of flammable material and props, as well as fuel supplies, on the site, our correspondent adds. Behind-the-scenes tours of the studios are a long-established tradition still popular with visitors today. Video here and here I am in complete shock at seeing that, I went there whilst in LA and went around all the exterior street sets - the New York Street, the New England Street....and now 3 blocks worth have been destroyed The Town Square from Back to the Future is also down amongst that lot somewhere..... They're also saying that the Studio Archives, containing all the master copies of past films is also in serous danger of being completely engulfed You can see the amount of buildings on the backlot here http://www.thestudiotour.com/ush/backlot/sets.shtml Sad day
emmasi Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 They're also saying that the Studio Archives, containing all the master copies of past films is also in serous danger of being completely engulfed That's terrible Sets can be rebuilt in time, but old movies... I hope they're okay. And obviously that no one gets hurt.
Cal Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 Oooh, I read this on CNN about an hour ago. Pity! I hope the old movies are OK.... and the people!
Lesley Bee Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 That's so terrible, i hope no one is hurt and that they can save all the old movies
Dan F Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 They've now contained it to one building (the King Kong attraction), however it seems to have been confirmed that the following have been destroyed: Courthouse Square (Back to the Future square) New York Street area King Kong attraction Video Vault (not the Film Vault) No fatalities but 3 firefighters injured
Barbara Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 I'm glad to hear there were no fatalities. I went there last summer and there were a lot of people. So, it's good to know noone died. I hope there isn't too much damage.
carmelle Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 Oh no! I'm glad that there have been no fatalities and I sure hope that the old films haven't been damaged.
Cerise Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 Oh Glad there wasn't any injuries - hope the old movies are okay
Foxy Posted June 1, 2008 Report Posted June 1, 2008 Terrible news about the fire, but thankfully there were no fatalities and the head of Universal has since said that the tapes that were destroyed contained nothing irreplaceable, which is good news for film archivists!
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