Historic hangar at former air base in California engulfed in flames
(KTLA) — A hangar at a historic air base in Orange County, California, went up in flames early Tuesday morning.
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the fire broke out around 1 a.m. at the Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin.
As the hangar burned, fire officials were concerned that the structure would completely collapse.
“It’s definitely not a normal fire, but today because of the complex fire operation, our incident commanders decided that they are going to use helicopters along with the truck companies,” said OCFA Captain Thanh Nguyen, noting that helicopters are usually deployed for large brush fires. “Our firefighters are situated outside [the hangar] and they are placing their units in the most advantageous spots to get water into the structure. Then, should the building collapse, they are not in the line of fire.”
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Several of the base’s hangars were on fire by the time first responders arrived to battle the blaze, with the north hangar, also known as Hangar 1, reportedly being completely engulfed.
The north hangar, also known as Hangar 1, was reportedly completely engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived. (OnSceneTV) The north hangar, also known as Hangar 1, was reportedly completely engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived. (OnSceneTV) The north hangar, also known as Hangar 1, was reportedly completely engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived. (OnSceneTV) The north hangar, also known as Hangar 1, was reportedly completely engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived. (OnSceneTV) The north hangar, also known as Hangar 1, was reportedly completely engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived. (OnSceneTV) As of 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, the hangar was still burning, with fire officials concerned that the structure will completely collapse. (KTLA) As of 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, the hangar was still burning, with fire officials concerned that the structure will completely collapse. (KTLA)
Firefighters immediately went into defensive mode to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby structures, and crews were seen battling the blaze from the ground and by air.
A second and then a third alarm were dispatched, with fire crews from Anaheim and Costa Mesa assisting in the firefight.
Drivers in the area who witnessed the blaze were stunned to see the iconic air base burn to the ground.
“It’s a huge landmark, and to see them disappearing like this is kind of shocking,” one man, only identified as James, told KTLA.
That man quickly texted his friend, who stopped what he was doing to go and see the blaze himself.
“I saw the text, and I drove out immediately,” he said. “I’m dying to know what’s going on.”
Another man, who happens to be a native of Tustin, California, saw the flames from his dormitory at the University of California, Irvine, and rushed to the scene.
“To have [the hangar] burn down is a tragedy,” Connor Ruffallo said. “It’s a piece of history that we are losing today.”
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The twin blimp hangars – which measure 17 stories tall, 1,000 feet long and 300 feet wide – have been at their location in Tustin since World War II and were known as the home port for enormous fleets of helicopters.
They are two of the world’s largest freestanding wooden structures and both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In addition, the hangars have been used in several prominent TV shows and were even the site of a half marathon, the Tustin Hangar 5K.
What started the blaze remains under investigation, and no injuries have been reported.
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