Universal Studios Fire Caused By Roofers

"The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Is On Fire..."

June 4. 2008

So much for having a time machine, then

Fire chiefs have ruled the tremendous fire at Universal film studios a few days ago was caused by roofers attaching shingles to a building on the lot.

See, I told you it wasn’t me (that was a joke). I’m a Christian and we sort of have an aversion to fire, what with hell and all (that was another joke).

Thankfully, no one was killed in the Backdraft-esque blaze, but they could have shot the sequel during the fire and called it Studiodraft.

However, loads of damage was done to the lot, studio vault and sets from the films Back To The Future, To Kill A Mockingbird, Transformers, Spiderman 2 and the forthcoming Changeling, starring Angelina "The Pout" Jolie.

clocktower from Back To The Future damaged in fire

Just last week, a few days before the fire, I saw a bit of the film Back to the Future again, and wondered where the clocktower was located. Well, now I know.

Tell the truth doesn't that fireman look like George Bush

Nikki Finke  reported today that, “Universal Classics has sent out an email to about 35 art house exhibitors and other film bookers of classic films alerting that the Universal Studios fire destroyed nearly 100% of archived 35mm prints kept in the so-called "video" vault on the lot. So, in the short term, Universal has canceled bookings of anything archival coming directly from Universal City and can't honor any film bookings of prints that were set to ship from there.” (link)

Huge repair bill following Universal Studios fire

Monday, June 02, 2008 - Universal Studios in Los Angeles is facing a huge repair bill after a massive fire. The Back to the Future set and a King Kong theme park ride were damaged in yesterday's blaze.

Bulldozers are removing burning videotapes and other flaming debris.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has said it could have a huge impact on film production but it could have been a lot worse.

'Although there was a lot of damage, it could have been a lot worse,' he said.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Historic film sets destroyed by huge fire at Universal Studios

Monday, 2 June 2008 - Some 300 firefighters were called to Universal Studios in Los Angeles early on Sunday, after a blaze broke out in a backlot area containing New York and New England street scenes, which had been used in such well-known productions as Seinfeld and War of the Worlds.

The famous courthouse square where the final scenes of Back to the Future were filmed was ravaged by the flames, while the artificial clock tower that allowed Michael J Fox to travel forward in time during the film was reported to have been damaged.

"There's some Hollywood history going up in smoke today, and we're doing our best to minimise the damage," said James Barnes of the LA County Fire Department yesterday.

http://www.independent.co.uk

Hollywood magic lost in blaze - Fire at Universal claims movie sets

June 2, 2008 - UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. —A huge fire raged through a lot at Universal Studios on Sunday and destroyed some of Hollywood's most familiar backdrops, including a set called courthouse square from "Back to the Future" and a streetscape featured in "Bruce Almighty," "Spider-Man 2" and "Transformers."

http://www.chicagotribune.com