We finally have some answers!
According to the LA Times, the Sunday morning blaze that destroyed parts of the Universal Studios Hollywood back lot was accidentally touched off by company employees using a blowtorch to heat asphalt roofing shingles.
Los Angeles County fire officials said two workers and a supervisor were putting up shingles in an alley on the New York Street set.
They finished at 3 a.m., spent an hour watching for any sign of fire, then took a break.
At 4:43 a.m., just as the crew was returning, a security guard saw flames and reported the fire.
The fire affected about 3 1/2 acres of the 391-acre theme park, according to a Universal official. Also, the studio is set to replace the New York Street backdrops and an animatronic King Kong destroyed by the fire. Park officials plan to reroute the studio’s popular tram ride around fire-damaged sets to areas untouched by the flames.
Damages are estimated in the millions of dollars.
We’re glad that no one was hurt!
[Image via Getty Images.]