Posted on 11/07/2023 7:37:01 AM PST by chrisinoc
Fire damaged a historic hangar early Tuesday at the former Tustin Air Base in Orange County.
The fire was reported at about 1:30 a.m. near Valencia Avenue and Armstrong Road, where flames were shooting through the roof of the towering wooden hangar. Parts of the roof feel to the ground, and firefighters took up positions outside the hanger, which is typically empty, due to the threat of collapse.
The fire authority called in a helicopter to help fight the fire, something fire officials said was unheard of. The Chinook helicopters are used to fight wildfires.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbclosangeles.com ...
YouTube video from another station:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWMu4hlBJ1g
Lucky coincidence for the developers who have big plans for the land underneath the former “landmark”
I heard they’re going to use the land to put up 150 2-story apartment buildings.
Unfortunately the hangers, while historic, were meant to be a temporary structure.
The Marines hated working in the hangers because the birds got into the rafters and kept pooping on the helicopters, so they parked them outside.
Those silly Californians. Always with the feelings.
I am right down the street; total loss. As another poster mentioned, they have been trying to develop this land, for years. My guess is “Tony the Torch” got tired of waiting.
Very sad...I lived there for five years in the early 70’s. Got to watch them film The Hindenberg, and met some of the actors whom I don’t remember.
IIRC, one of the hangars was already in pretty bad shape, with the other in reasonable preservable condition. I hope it was the bad one that burned. Unfortunately This will be a total loss. Maybe some of the remaining structure could be salvaged, as much of the timber used to construct it simply isn’t available any more. Can’t imagine how the fire started...unless it was arson.
More video:
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/historic-hangar-at-former-air-base-in-orange-county-engulfed-in-flames/
It’s a total loss. The only things left are the end doors.
The Tustin Police Department has a closeup video on their Facebook page.
Yep...Fire Chief said it could burn for a couple of days. All that solid Redwood framing....all gone.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.