Spooky Update 2: Several readers have pointed out that /Film posted a “Save the Clock Tower” item just days ago. I’m not saying that one of you should start a Wikipedia entry elaborating on the “/Film effect,” but…
Faux Update: A DeLorean was not seen exiting the premises mid-flight as the blaze began.
Developing: Early this Sunday morning, a fire broke out across the back lot of Universal Studios in Los Angeles, torching several blocks of movie sets and tens of thousands of archived video tapes. Of note, the famous clock tower from Back to the Future (right) is said to have been damaged by the blaze, while the courthouse square set from the film has been reported destroyed. The cause of the fire is under investigation. From the AP…
A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from ”Back to the Future,” the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. The blaze broke out on a sound stage at the theme park in a set featuring New York brownstones facades around 4:30 a.m. at the 400-acre property, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said. The fire was contained to the lot but still burning several hours later.
Roughly 40,000 to 50,000 videos and reels were in the video vault, but there are duplicates stored in a different location, said Ron Meyer, NBC Universal president and chief operating officer. Firefighters managed to recover hundreds of those titles from the vault.
”Nothing is lost forever,” Meyer said.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported at this time. Apparently, some Miami Vice tapes weren’t so lucky. At least three fireman have been reported injured, none critically. The park reopened today at noon. Click here to watch the epic blaze on YouTube.
Discuss: Any first hand reports?
June 1st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
picture is photoshoped, its viral marketing for T4
June 1st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
“Save the clocktower!”
June 1st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
It’s a little scary that \film just posted something about the clock tower this week. Hmmm…
June 1st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Whoops! /film.
June 1st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I seem to remember the whole Hill Valley courthouse square already got completely toasted back in the early 90’s backlot fire. They’ll just rebuild it again. More work for set builders! (As long as no one gets hurt)
June 1st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
@ evan
Don’t let that happen again. ;)
June 1st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I’m so thankful that no one got hurt. I’m also thankful that there are duplicates of the material that was lost. Imagine what might happen if those reels were lost forever? Not cool at all. Hopefully we’ll find out soon what caused it.
June 1st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I blame Libyan terrorists.
June 1st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
i remember the guide for the studio tour bragged about how they had their own fire station inside
guess it was just a prop
June 1st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
@ jonny
I think we ALL know that your Magic 8ball: The Movie comment was to blame.
June 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Viral Marketing!!
of a bttf sequel that got out of hand
June 1st, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I blame Backdraft….I never liked that ride since I was a kid.
June 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
In completely unrelated news, Christopher Lloyd has retracted the statement on his missing sex tape.
June 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
This isn’t the first time the court house square and clock tower have burned down. In 1991, a security guard with a few loose screws set the backlot ablaze.
June 1st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
@ Randy
Yeah, he actually comments on the site. His name is Jonny.
June 1st, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I have worked with that fire station before as an ems personnel, and let me say I am not exactly shocked. But to their defense they got one truck and a bunch of old dudes (it’s a retirement station.) Ya know they lost the historic “Phantom of The Opera” way back in the day and this one twice now. Maybe the need to go on Backdraft and listen to Ron Howard tell them how dangerous and unpredictable fire can be.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
@ Kip
Interesting.
Two Backdraft references and counting…
June 1st, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Hey guys, I was on the backlot when it happened. I walked down New York street as it lie in ruins. It was really creepy. I left the backlot about an hour ago and I still smell like smoke. My shoes have tar on the bottom and at one point I experienced shot breaths. It got kind of scary. I’m quite saddened by the event, but I’m sure Universal will rebuild quite soon.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I also did see that the clockhouse tower is doing quite well. It has some minor burn marks on it’s sides but it is still intact. Sadly, town square is no longer standing
June 1st, 2008 at 5:50 pm
@ D. Dormann
Thanks for reporting! You’ve won a brand new hoverboard! In 30 years. Tar on shoes = war story. Glad to hear about the clock tower.
June 1st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
So do we blame Micheal Bay ? lol
June 1st, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I live less than a mile from this fire, please check out my comments and details on the start of this on ,
http://www.screenrant.com
I’m just too tierd to re-write all this.. ;- thanks /Film!
790
June 1st, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Also Hunter, that’s a great picture.
I live just below the lower right hand area.
The top of that photo is real North.
So to the north right is North hollywood the left is West Hollywood/pacific coast area. Cool picture. I saved that one.