Fire Breaks Out at Universal Studios Backlot

"The Insider" breaks news that a large fire broke out at the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles in the early hours of Sunday morning, not far from where today's MTV Movie Awards are scheduled to take place at the Gibson Amphitheater.

Los Angeles fire Capt. FRANK REYNOSO said the blaze, reported just before dawn Sunday on a sound stage on the New York City street set, spread very quickly. At least one explosion was reported and approximately 400 city and county firefighters battled the fire, which officials said was expected to be knocked down in the next few hours.

Four firefighters were injured fighting the blaze, with two suffering heat exhaustion and two treated for minor burns, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Mike Brown said. No cause has yet been determined, but fire authorities as well as the LA County Sheriff's Department are investigating.

Helicopters were seen dropping water onto the burning structures. A Pepsi commercial was shooting at the studio overnight and the King Kong ride reportedly may have been damaged, as well as the "Ghost Whisperer" set. The studio's video vault was said to have burned and hundreds of videos had to be relocated for protection.

This is not the first fire to threaten the studio. Six major blazes have struck Universal backlot over the years, starting in 1932 and most recently in 1997. Movies filmed at this famed backlot location include such STEVEN SPIELBERG films as 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,' 'Jurassic Park,' 'War of the Worlds' and 'Back to the Future' (which he produced) -- whose recognizable town square has reportedly been damaged -- along with the RON HOWARD-directed 'Apollo 13,' 'Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,' and many more.

A Universal spokesperson tells "The Insider" that Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be open today at noon and the backlot tram tour will resume operation on Monday. Although some adjustments will be made to the Studio Tour due to the fire, no other rides and attractions have been affected and the theaters, restaurants, clubs and shops at CityWalk were not affected.

An MTV spokesperson tells "The Insider," "The areas we are utilizing for our production were unaffected and the 2008 MTV Movie Awards will go on as planned. We're working closely with authorities to make sure everything operates smoothly."

Stay tuned for more details...

Published 6/1/08 by