Per CNN.com, a “massive” fire at Universal Studios today damaging or destroying 4-5 buildings, including one housing the King Kong exhibit, two “prop” buildings, a chapel, a video library vault, and a ride called the “Cyclone”.
Over 400 firefighters as well as helicopters, as part of a three alarm blaze, battled the fire on the studio backlot, adjacent to the theme park.
The cause of the fire was unknown, but there were reports that filming may have been going on prior to the fire starting.
There is video of the fire at bbc.co.uk:
Update 1:20 PST:
Per the Associated Press (LINK), the fire has destroyed “a set from Back to the Future, the King Kong exhibit, and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels.”
NBC Universal President and Chief Operation Officer Ron Meyer said there are duplicated of the damaged reels and videos at another location.
The set from Back to the Future that was destroyed was the courthouse square that included the clock tower. Also destroyed was three blocks of building facades.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but a commercial shoot was underway prior to the fire breaking out.
Photos:
Jason De Bord