A massive fire at Universal Studios yesterday destroyed much of the
New York City streetscape and other movie sets, causing tens of millions of
dollars worth of damage, but no injuries were immediately reported.
Four hours after the fire was reported in a sound stage early in the morning
in the studio-theme park northwest of downtown Los Angeles, firefighters said
flames were continuing to leap from a large warehouse in the facility.
About 300 Los Angeles city and county firefighters were helping studio
firefighters quench the blaze, which spread to the New York City streetscape,
according to Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Darryl Jacobs.
At least one sound stage and several other buildings, including facades meant
to look like New York, were believed to have been lost within about 30 minutes.
The flames were shooting more than 30 meters in the air.
Firefighters encountered some explosions from propane tanks as they fought
the fire, Jacobs said, adding that helicopters were dropping water, and
firefighters were attempting to keep the blaze from high-value facilities such
the film vault.
Although there was no immediate reports about serious injuries, several urban
search and rescue teams were dispatched to the fire, fire officials
said.
