Backlot fire at Universal Studios *

Universal's New York and New England sets, Courthouse Square, the King Kong stage, at least one soundstage and a video vault have been destroyed by a fire that began on the backlot about 4:45 am this morning. The cause is under investigation. The fire has been contained but is still not out. Lack of water pressure has hampered the firefighting.

Forty to fifty thousand video copies have been lost, studio officials say. Burning plastic from the vault has complicated the firefighting effort and has prompted warnings to neighbors in Toluca Lake where smoke is settling. Health officials advise not to breathe the smoke and to leave the area if necessary. Four firefighters are being treated for heat exhaustion or burns. Universal Studios plans to open the amusement park today at noon. The MTV Video Awards are still scheduled for the Gibson Amphitheatre this evening.

The outdoor "streets" destroyed are some of the most familiar sights on the studio backlot. Courthouse Square featured prominently in the "Back to the Future" films. The King Kong exhibit was also a stop on the popular studio tour. Universal was the first studio in the San Fernando Valley, formally opening on the Pacific Electric Red Car route from Hollywood with a big party in 1915 in a new settlement the studio called Universal City.

* Afternoon update: They were over-optimstic about opening the park; it will remain closed today. An explosion at 2:45 pm near the video storage vault injured a firefighter and sheriff's deputy. In all, eight firefighters have required some kind of treatment. None of the injuries were reported as serious.

Coverage: LAT, KNBC, KABC, KTLA, KNX

Live video: KNBC

Photo: Nick Ut / Associated Press via Yahoo