Firefighters on Sunday battled a blaze at Hollywood's famed Universal Studios that destroyed some of the legendary film studio's most iconic stage sets, as well as popular sights at its neighboring tourist attraction.
The blaze on Universal City's backlot destroyed various soundstages and a streetscape depicting New York City, causing tens of millions of dollars worth of damage.
A column of thick black smoke rose from the fire at Universal City, some 15 kilometers north of Los Angeles.
Three firefighters were injured battling the blaze, according to officials, as several helicopters dropped water on the blaze early Sunday.
Los Angeles County Fire Department chief Michael Freeman said that more than 400 firefighters were trying to extinguish the fire.
The first reports of the fire, which required helicopters and hundreds of firefighters to contain, came at 4:45 a.m. (1145 GMT).
"It began in the backlot area on New York street," Freeman told reporters. "It moved through that area very fast."
He added that one popular attraction at Universal City, the King Kong exhibit, was completely destroyed, as was a set from the hit film "Back to the Future," and a video vault containing tens of thousands of videos and reels.
Firefighters were trying to keep the blaze from spreading eastward to the bucolic Los Angeles retreat Griffith Park, where officials feared thick brush and vegetation could further feed the conflagration.
http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20080602-140185
No comments:
Post a Comment