Large Fire Breaks Out on Universal Studios Lot

[TheSarge]

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. —  Firefighters worked Sunday to contain a massive blaze that broke out on a lot at Universal Studios that engulfed the "Back to the Future" set, the King Kong exhibit and a video vault.

Los Angeles fire chief Michael Freeman said over 400 city and county firefighters were mobilized to battle the fire, which broke out at around 4 a.m. Sunday on a sound stage on a back lot.

"The fire moved through the area extremely fast," Freeman said.

The damage included the backlot area, known as New York Street, Court House Square —which was a set for the film "Back to the Future" — and the King Kong exhibit. Also destroyed was a video vault located behind the street facades, Freeman said.

Three firefighters also suffered minor injuries in the blaze.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,361251,00.html

[Lord Undies]

My guess is Universal is ready to sell some high dollar real estate to an eager developer. 

"Props!  Could we get some giant marshmallows over here!"

[Airwolf]

It could be undies but then again the Studos themselves can't afford to lose much land over profits. There have already been major fires over the years that destryed alot of the sets most of us grew up watching on tv and in the movies and those were not replaced.

[Lord Undies]

It could be undies but then again the Studos themselves can't afford to lose much land over profits. There have already been major fires over the years that destryed alot of the sets most of us grew up watching on tv and in the movies and those were not replaced.

The studios have sold off a lot of land over the recent years.  It is more cost effective to sell the overvalued land and shoot on location in movie studio friendly places like Canada and the Carolinas.  Old Hollywood is lost.

[jendf]

I'm watching local news right now. The very concerned reporter for this story has reassured me that the MTV Movie Awards will go on as scheduled. That's good. Because I was worried about that. 

[Chris_]

I'm watching local news right now. The very concerned reporter for this story has reassured me that the MTV Movie Awards will go on as scheduled. That's good. Because I was worried about that. 

Exactly.   Why some people still make a big deal about awards shows of ANY kind is beyond me.   

It's amusing to me what's being said on some entertainment blogs about the "near-loss of a cultural icon" I kid you not, that's an actual quote about the awards show from someone who posted a comment on one of those blogs.  I'll try to find it again.   Many teens and 20-somethings, it seems,  are more worried about a damn awards show than they are about the "Back to the Future" lot (I love that movie trilogy) the King Kong exhibit, and the video vault. 

[jinxmchue]

Also destroyed was a video vault

Ouch.  Hopefully nothing was permanently lost.

[Chris_]

This sort of bums me out.  I live a few miles away and have and use my annual pass. In fact, I was planning on going next Friday.

I have seen these back lot sets many times -- and I enjoyed the goofy King Kong part of the tour -- I hope they do something cool with the spot.

I don't know if you folk know how many movies were filmed using the "Clock tower" town square set.  It goes all the way back to the original "Twilight Zone" shows and currently has been the home of "The Ghost Whisperer."

And "New York Street" has been the set for innumerable TV shows and movies -- every time you have seen an actor squat on the steps in front of a "brownstone" for such NY series such as "Seinfeld," every version of "Law & Order," "CSI" "Bruce Almighty" etc. etc. etc. -- it was 99% probable it was filmed at Universal.

There is a lot of serious history.

I hope they rebuild it quickly.  If they can afford millions of dollars for a single shot in Star Wars or even Sex in the City, then they should be able to rebuild these as part of the daily budget on any medium to big movie or TV show.

[Chris_]

Also destroyed was a video vault

Ouch.  Hopefully nothing was permanently lost.

The LAFD and Universal are reporting everything was backed up offsite and nothing has been permanently lost.

[jinxmchue]

Also destroyed was a video vault

Ouch.  Hopefully nothing was permanently lost.

The LAFD and Universal are reporting everything was backed up offsite and nothing has been permanently lost.

Cool.  Sets can be rebuilt.  Great acting performances cannot.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Also destroyed was a video vault

Ouch.  Hopefully nothing was permanently lost.

The LAFD and Universal are reporting everything was backed up offsite and nothing has been permanently lost.

Cool.  Sets can be rebuilt.  Great acting performances cannot.

I heard that some famous movie and/or tv sets were destroyed in the fire.  Too tired to look for the link.  I'm sure we'll hear more at some point.

[TheSarge]

Also destroyed was a video vault

Ouch.  Hopefully nothing was permanently lost.

From what I've read the main vault that contains the masters to their fimls was untouched...but it took everything thing the firefighters had to keep the fire from reaching that particular vault.

[Airwolf]

This sort of bums me out.  I live a few miles away and have and use my annual pass. In fact, I was planning on going next Friday.

I have seen these back lot sets many times -- and I enjoyed the goofy King Kong part of the tour -- I hope they do something cool with the spot.

I don't know if you folk know how many movies were filmed using the "Clock tower" town square set.  It goes all the way back to the original "Twilight Zone" shows and currently has been the home of "The Ghost Whisperer."

And "New York Street" has been the set for innumerable TV shows and movies -- every time you have seen an actor squat on the steps in front of a "brownstone" for such NY series such as "Seinfeld," every version of "Law & Order," "CSI" "Bruce Almighty" etc. etc. etc. -- it was 99% probable it was filmed at Universal.

There is a lot of serious history.

I hope they rebuild it quickly.  If they can afford millions of dollars for a single shot in Star Wars or even Sex in the City, then they should be able to rebuild these as part of the daily budget on any medium to big movie or TV show.

They reported last night on NBC that this is the 6th time the studio has caught fire and everything was replaced then.