Movie studios reviewing their fire-prevention plans
Sunday's fire at Universal Studios Hollywood is prompting other film studios to re-evaluate their strategies, a Burbank Fire Department official says.
The fire at Universal Studios Hollywood is serving as a wake-up call for movie production facilities across Southern California, which are reviewing their fire-prevention plans.
With highly flammable heavy timber, close quarters and constant construction, movie studios are considered especially vulnerable for fires. Universal has seen a half-dozen major fires in its history, two of which -- including Sunday's blaze -- burned New York backdrops.
"I can assure you that every single major studio is taking a look at their facilities right now," said Burbank Fire Capt. Ron Bell, whose department handles the Warner Bros. and Disney lots, among others.
Bell, a veteran of studio fires, said the Universal blaze was the biggest he'd seen. "This is an eye-opener."
County officials said they are planning to produce a report that will look at the Universal blaze as well as lessons that can be applied by other studios around the Los Angeles area. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said he was concerned about a lack of water pressure firefighters encountered when dealing with the Universal fire and wants to make sure other studios don't face the same issues.
There have been some spectacular fires at Hollywood studios over the years.
Bell said his city has seen at least seven in the last half-century. Perhaps the biggest occurred in 1952 when fire raced through eight acres of Warner Bros. sets, destroying a soundstage, train shed and other property. Several Hollywood stars -- including Burt Lancaster and Ray Bolger -- helped fight the fire.
In 1974, another huge fire at The Burbank Studios destroyed eight acres of structures, including three soundstages and four movie sets. Antique cars and sets for Boston and New York were lost.
The Universal lot has seen several big fires, too. In 1967, street scenes used in TV and movie productions burned during a fire on Universal's back lot. In 1987, flames erupted on the "Spartacus" set at Universal Studios, destroying the three-story structure and three adjacent buildings. Three years later, a fire ravaged the back lot, forcing authorities to evacuate restaurants and theaters on the grounds and to temporarily close entrances where Republican Party faithful were trying to get to the Universal City Hilton for election night celebrations. The blaze destroyed the sets known as New York Street, and an adjacent alley scene; Brownstone Street; Courthouse Square, where "Back to the Future" was filmed; the Dick Tracy Building, where the hit movie was made; and the set where "Ben Hur" was filmed.
