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Photo Essay: Universal Studios Backlot Fire*
For residents of the South East San Fernando Valley and adjacent environs, the stench and sight of smoke from the fire that broke out in the early morning hours on the backlot of Universal Studios has dominated the skies today; for most everyone else in Los Angeles this story has dominated the news.
LAist photographer Tom Andrews captured these images of the Universal Studios area; the site remains closed to the public while fire crews from multiple LA City & County units work to contain the blaze which has to date destroyed well-known locations like the Courthouse Square (from Back to the Future) and the King Kong attraction. CityWalk, the movie theatres, the rides (like the new Simpsons ride), and locations like Desperate Housewives' Wisteria Lane have remained unharmed, and what has burned is reported as being largely "replaceable."
Universal Studios is expected to open today at remains closed as of 3:45 p.m.noon1 p.m.
Previously on LAist:
UPDATE: Universal Backlot & Buildings Continue to Burn
Universal Backlot Fire Destroys Buildings and Facades (with images of the facades pre-fire)
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Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
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Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
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