Sunday, June 1, 2008

Universal Studios Fire, OH NO!

As from Wikipedia:
A Three Alarm fire broke out on the backlot of Universal Studios on June 1, 2008.[1] The Los Angeles Fire Department had reported that Brownstone Street, New York Street, New England Street, the King Kong ride, some structures that make up Courthouse Square, the War of the Worlds movie[1] set, and the Video Vault had burnt down (not to be confused with the actual Film Vault, The Video Vault contains the duplicates of the films). Aerial news footage later showed that the actual Courthouse facade survived the fire, although the west side of it was slightly charred. Over 516 firefighters[1] from various local fire departments, as well as two helicopters dropping water, had responded to the fire. Fourteen firefighters and three Los Angeles County sheriffs' deputies sustained minor injures. It was the seventh serious backlot fire to strike Universal since 1932. The fire was finally put out after 12 hours, since firefighters encountered low water pressure.
Destroyed were 40,000 to 50,000 archived digital video and film copies chronicling Universal's movie and TV classic shows, dating back to the 1920s, including the films Knocked Up and Atonement, the NBC series Law & Order, The Office, and Miami Vice, and CBS's I Love Lucy.[2][3]. Many audio master tapes from Universal Music have been destroyed as well. As Universal Studios' workhorse sets, buildings, and rides were lost, YouTube stands as de facto memorial to Universal Studios' lost studio tour attractions and buildings.[5] Universal president Ron Meyer stated that nothing irreplaceable was lost, meaning everything will be rebuilt again, at a price of at least 50 million dollars. Days after the fire, however, it was reported that the King Kong attraction will not be rebuilt and will eventually be replaced by a new attraction yet to be announced.[6] In August 2008, Universal changed their mind and decided to rebuild the attraction, but it will be based on the 2005 film instead.

SEE: courthouse square.

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