Massive Fire at Universal Studios!

A huge fire has erupted at a sound stage at Universal Studios in Burbank.

UPDATE 9:14 AM PT: Hot time in the old town tonight! The MTV Movie Awards are set to go off today at Universal. An MTV rep tells us, despite the fire, "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."

UPDATE: 7:04 AM PT: Captain Brown from LAFD has just said the fire is contained to four or five buildings on the back lot and that there are no injuries as of yet. There have been explosions during the fire due to propane tanks. They are trying to keep the fire from spreading to the outlying brush, and water supplies are low.

UPDATE 6:52 AM PT: The fire has gotten worse! A TMZ reporter says the fire just got a lot bigger, despite firefighters efforts.

UPDATE 6:26 AM PT: A TMZ reporter on the scene says the fire is being contained, as firefighters and helicopters continue to attack the blaze.

Story Developing ...


UPDATE: TMZ spoke with LA City Fire Department, who told us that although the fire is under LA County jurisdiction, they have sent roughly 40 companies to try and contain the blaze. The fire started around 4:45 AM PT on the New York sound stage, and is continuing to spread. There are no reports of injuries.

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 4) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. I have video if you guys are interested from the strongest point. Fireball hundreds of feet in the air w/explosion going off during filming. Explosions started around 4:30 - 4:45 am and were still going off at 6 am. I live a block away and can see it from my porch.

Posted at 10:04AM on Jun 1st 2008 by cj

17. That is a fun place, what a shame! My cable is out this morning, keep me posted.

Posted at 10:12AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Kelli

18. At least 2 stages are gone - I see on the CNN feed what looks like other spot fires to the right of the stages, looks like near the Back to the Future park area, near Desperate housewifes exteriors

Posted at 10:21AM on Jun 1st 2008 by jj

19. So sad, glad that no one has been reported hurt and hopefully they can get it contained before it spreads too much further. Don't think some of ya realize just how many shows and movies are filmed at those studios. This is going to hit Universal BIG TIME especially if they have to completely rebuild multiple sound stages.

Posted at 10:29AM on Jun 1st 2008 by jc

20. It has been over 10 years since I visited. If they still have the E.T. ride I hope it is safe. That was my favorite, riding bikes through the air.

Posted at 10:31AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Kelli

21. What on earth is this woman saying!! ON LIVE STREAMING VIDEO !! She said "the celling falling, that was awsome" and she keeps repeating "i wanna c some flames" "oops they're gonna loose another roof"

CHECK THE URL OUT, sometimes they realise it and mute the mic
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/livemedia?section=news&id=6177913

AIR HEAD

Posted at 10:39AM on Jun 1st 2008 by From Dubai

22. Thanx to everybody, TMZ foremost, for keeping us up to date. I'm still fighting back tears!

Posted at 10:46AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Anna

23. Here is the first of 3 videos I'll post. Universal Studios is located in Universal City. It is huge so it borders Burbank, North Hollywood and Toluca Lake.

This is the fireball against the night sky at about 4:55 am. You can hear the stream of police and fire engines. The video is less than one minute and you can hear one of many explosions go off.

The news reports I saw are saying "there may have been an explosion." That is because they didn't get there till around 6 am. The explosions went off every few minutes from 4:45 am to 6 am.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eFdJ446S9M

I am uploading a better view and will also upload the debris which is pretty unreal.

Posted at 10:56AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Jolie

24. Yes, I agree ... first video isn't great. But I just wanted to post b/c of explosion you can hear. This one may be a little better. But the fires were on the backlot next to the LA River. Hopefully better videos will go up. But the news crews didn't get there till around 6 am. I can't really find any videos ... so even tho it's kinda crappy ... at least it's something :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1XYpkZAZrE

Posted at 11:02AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Jolie

25. "TMZ Reporter"?? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Posted at 11:06AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Incredgible

26. That is the area where the film vault is...hope they have back-ups! Sad!

Posted at 11:07AM on Jun 1st 2008 by pattycakes

27. Thank you Jolie for showing us the video. This is truly a horrible accident. Hollywood means so much to so many people, with all of their great films and beautiful stars and the art of motion pictures. I hope they can rebuild very safely and soon, and be even better than before.

Posted at 11:09AM on Jun 1st 2008 by studly

28. good one mike gas a ten

Posted at 11:08AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Al Baby

29. Took my kids to see Universal Studios in the late 80's after the Back to the Future movie came out. They loved it. Good memories. This is really sad!!

Posted at 11:24AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Lenn K.

30. BURN HOLLYWOOD BURN!

Posted at 11:33AM on Jun 1st 2008 by Who effin cares!

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments