Universal Studios backlot fire forces closure of theme park

Despite word from Universal Studios Hollywood theme park officials that they plan to reopen today (Sunday, June 1, 2008), the park remained closed as of 1:30 p.m. due to a fire that broke out in the adjacent studio backlot just before dawn.

The famed backlot tour, which takes visitors by tram around the movie and television studio, will not be running today if and when the theme park reopens, officials said. The tram tour is expected to resume Monday with a diverted route.

The theme park was not affected by the blaze that destroyed a soundstage and several sets, but fire officials had kept the tourist attraction closed for safety reasons and concerns about heavy smoke. Visitors continued to wait outside the gates of the theme park into the afternoon, which was scheduled to be open today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The nearby CityWalk shopping esplanade also remains closed and will reopen when visitors are permitted to enter the theme park.

Find the latest amusement and theme park news at the
Los Angeles Times Funland blog: www.latimes.com/funland

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

[Photo: Associated Press]

Permalink | E-mail | Print | Add to My Trips

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 1:58 pm by Brady MacDonald and is filed under Family & Kids, Los Angeles, Theme Parks, Universal Studios Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.