Firefighters battled a destructive blaze in Southern California early Tuesday morning at a historic blimp hangar that was originally constructed during World War II and later gained fame for its appearances in films and television shows. The three-alarm fire, which broke out around 1 a.m., consumed the north hangar of the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin. Despite hours of firefighting efforts, authorities made the difficult decision to allow the structure to collapse due to the dynamic nature of the fire and the imminent danger it posed. The Orange County Fire Authority shared photographs and videos of the intense flames engulfing the gutted hangar.
The massive blimp hangar, standing at a towering height of 17 stories and measuring over 1,000 feet long and 300 feet wide, was one of two structures built in the city of Tustin in 1942 for the U.S. Navy. Originally intended to house military blimps, the hangar later became part of the Marine Corps air station in the 1950s before closing in 1999.
The hangars gained additional recognition for their appearances in Hollywood productions, including popular films and TV shows like “JAG,” “The X Files,” and “Pearl Harbor,” as well as various commercials. However, the historical significance of the hangar was overshadowed by the devastating fire that reduced it to ruins.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are underway to determine its origin. The Orange County Fire Authority expressed their gratitude to the public for their support during the firefighting operation. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
