by Chas Andrews
Member since:
January 17, 2007

Universal Studios Fire

June 02, 2008 12:32 PM EDT (Updated: June 03, 2008 02:42 PM EDT)
views: 188 | rating: 9.6/10 (47 votes) | comments: 53

Early Sunday morning a fire broke out on the Universal Studios Backlot, destroying set pieces and properties (such as the Hilldale townsquare from "Back to the Future") and a video vault containing over 40,000 videos and reels.

For more information, check out Anna Thompson's blog at:

http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2008/06/universal-back.html

Thanks!

-Chas
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 53

Robyn F. Jun 2, 2008, 12:53pm EDT
that was aweful!
Donna Hammett-Tooker Jun 2, 2008, 1:06pm EDT
My in-laws live in Fountain Valley and they said they could see the smoke blowing their way and they heard the firetrucks and emergency all the way to their place.
Thanks for the link. This was terrible.
Marilyn M. Jun 2, 2008, 1:10pm EDT
What a tragedy.
Rosa See Ya Jun 2, 2008, 1:11pm EDT
I saw this on the news last night. Huge blaze.

Join Earth School

The Short Term Memory Loss Experience

Inner Springs News @GatherWorld


Join A Beautiful World
Erica Hidvegi Jun 2, 2008, 1:11pm EDT
Memories and memorabilia just up in smoke ! Do you know if the sets can be re-done ?
Chas Andrews Jun 2, 2008, 1:20pm EDT
Erica - They'll probably re-build, but no word yet.
Ramzy S. Jun 2, 2008, 1:21pm EDT
:)
Such a shame!
barb n. Jun 2, 2008, 1:28pm EDT
terrible! such a shame
Rae M. Jun 2, 2008, 1:33pm EDT
A lot of wonderful things destroyed, it is sad.
Bonnie F. Jun 2, 2008, 1:36pm EDT
That's such a shame, not only for the monetary value, but the sentimental value as well. I really enjoyed the tour at Universal when we visited CA.
Lisa (I love loons) C. Jun 2, 2008, 1:44pm EDT
Excellent photography of the fire - its such a shame to see that go up in flames, I sure hope they had all those reels in duplicate.
Donna S. Jun 2, 2008, 1:45pm EDT
sad I hope that they had backup flims. should keep them in a fire proof room or such dont ya think?
Suze P. Jun 2, 2008, 1:51pm EDT
That's so sad.. You would think they would have had at least the movies somewhere fire proof ...bet they will from now on :O(
ELLEN B. Jun 2, 2008, 1:54pm EDT
This is sad. I think they will do more to protect memorabilia now. What a loss. Thanks fpr the link. Ellen B
Maurice K. Jun 2, 2008, 1:59pm EDT
Yes, this is very sad. I'm hoping they will learn to take precautions in the future to prevent such losses.
Chas Andrews Jun 2, 2008, 2:06pm EDT
I thought they kept them in buildings that are like giant refridgerators.
Sophiya S. Jun 2, 2008, 2:26pm EDT
wow
JoAnne D. Jun 2, 2008, 3:11pm EDT
Tragic, maybe someone has a problem with posterity, an accident?
Holli G. Jun 2, 2008, 3:57pm EDT
how sad
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Jun 2, 2008, 3:59pm EDT
that is so bad lots of history
juley g. Jun 2, 2008, 4:00pm EDT
That is just too bad! Do they know what caused it?
Chas Andrews Jun 2, 2008, 4:02pm EDT
no. they're still investigating
Mary Ann S. Jun 2, 2008, 4:09pm EDT
Thanks, I read this yesterday an msnbc.
Patti M. Jun 2, 2008, 4:20pm EDT
Even if the set could be re-done part of their fascination was the movies they were part of. It just wouldn't be the same. They said the video and film all were duplicated in another structure so there were no losses of film or video. It is very sad though.
Does anyone know how it started?
Leigh 3. Jun 2, 2008, 4:26pm EDT
how horrible. I heard that they had backup copies of the film that was destroyed. Did anyone else hear that?
Chas Andrews Jun 2, 2008, 4:38pm EDT
There were multiple films destroyed, but I had heard that there were other duplicates of them.
Cindy B. Jun 2, 2008, 5:51pm EDT
very sad, thanks for posting it.
CRYSTAL C. Jun 2, 2008, 6:01pm EDT
that was aweful!
Carl "Prime Time" Lee Jun 2, 2008, 6:13pm EDT
Thank you for using Gather Broadcast where there is an open line of communication for all and you're more than a connection.
Sharon B. Jun 2, 2008, 6:58pm EDT
thats a shame
Shirley U Understand Me S. Jun 2, 2008, 7:00pm EDT
thanks for sharing this...i had heard a little only
Ashley P. Jun 2, 2008, 7:10pm EDT
the king kong stuff was lost too. This is very sad.
blaine d. Jun 2, 2008, 7:48pm EDT
what a waste!
amy s. Jun 2, 2008, 7:51pm EDT
thanks for sharing your information with me. It was very informative
Marsha S. Jun 2, 2008, 8:17pm EDT
I was hearing about it on one of the news feeds online here.
Sharon P. Jun 2, 2008, 8:49pm EDT
Sad, so many memories gone.
pamela r. Jun 2, 2008, 9:19pm EDT
So sad--many irreplacable items gone.
Deb S. Jun 2, 2008, 10:34pm EDT
I used to live on the other side of the hill in LA and often visited the Universal lot. A terrible shame.
Kimber L. Jun 3, 2008, 12:32pm EDT
Such a loss!
Amy B. Jun 3, 2008, 12:52pm EDT
a real bummer
Jo C. Jun 3, 2008, 1:17pm EDT
Chas - Thanks for the heads up (saw a bit about this on the news and rushed here to Gather because I knew YOU would be on top of this and you are :)

Nice of you to let us know of a related blog too. Thanks!
Debra B. Jun 3, 2008, 1:45pm EDT
Hollywood is so superficial, but this is a real loss.
Lyn Owen Jun 3, 2008, 2:12pm EDT
This bummed me out when I saw it happening.
Susan B. Jun 3, 2008, 2:14pm EDT
Bravo! This would be the perfect article to post in Theme Parks and Attractions
Chas Andrews Jun 3, 2008, 3:50pm EDT
wow. thank you, Dan.
Susan B. Jun 3, 2008, 4:11pm EDT
Bravo! Thank you for posting your article in Theme Parks and Attractions
suey v. Jun 3, 2008, 8:05pm EDT
Too bad.....At least noone was hurt!
John Philipp Jun 3, 2008, 8:30pm EDT
Thanks for the update, Chas.
Jan S. Jun 3, 2008, 10:41pm EDT
This is very sad. A shame to lose so much.
Shannon S. Jun 6, 2008, 4:11pm EDT
Wow. I hadn't heard this. Thanks for the update.
Carrie C. Jun 11, 2008, 5:09pm EDT
Very sad.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16836, "Oz"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.