Blowtorch Ignited Studio Fire

Universal Sudios reopen after blaze
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 3, 2008 2:43 AM CDT
Blowtorch Ignited Studio Fire
Smoke rises from a fire at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.    (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)

The Universal Studios theme park reopened yesterday after a disastrous fire on the back lot destroyed sets, a video archive and the King Kong attraction. Investigators believe the blaze was caused by workmen using a blowtorch on a New York City street set, reports the Los Angeles Times. Low water pressure hampered firefighting efforts.  

Universal's 30 sound stages and a number of sets, including the "Desperate Housewives' " Wisteria Lane set, were not touched by the 3.5 acre blaze. Ten productions resumed work Monday. The video archive, which included many movies and tv shows, had been copied to a digital format. (More Universal Studios stories.)

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