Universal Studios Hollywood backlot escapes serious damage following fire

Universal Studios Hollywood's backlot survived its latest fire relatively unscathed. Image © Universal Studios Hollywood

Fire crews were called to a fire on Universal Studios Hollywood's backlot on December 8, 2011, although the area escaped serious damage.

NBC Los Angeles reports that the fire started in a three-story commercial building on the backlot, and was extinguished within half an hour of the arrival of Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters. The affected building is currently scheduled for demolition, with the the blaze having been contained to a small structure on its roof. The cause has not yet been revealed.

A total of 40 firefighters were sent to the scene of the fire in a bid to avoid a repeat of the 2008 catastrophe which saw a large section of the backlot destroyed in an inferno. The response was quickly downgraded after it became clear that the latest incident was not serious.

Universal Studios Hollywood has invested in improved fire detection and extinguishing systems to try and prevent a repeat of the 2008 disaster. It has invested hundreds of millions in rebuilding the backlot, as well as replacing the King Kong soundstage that was burnt to the ground in the fire.

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