UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — A large fire raged on a back lot at Universal Studios on Sunday, devouring several movie sets and the theme park's King Kong attraction, officials said.

The King Kong exhibit is a stop on the studio's tram tour where the giant ape bellows at passengers and artificial banana scent fills the area, studio spokesman Eliot Sekuler said.

Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Daryl Jacobs said at least one building had burned and as many as three blocks of movie facades were destroyed.

Two mock New York and New England streets used for movie making and tourist displays were "a total loss," he said.

Though the fire was contained, it was still raging, Jacobs said.

The blaze broke out just before dawn on a sound stage at the 400-acre property, fire Capt. Frank Reynoso said. There was at least one explosion.

A thick column of smoke rose thousands of feet into the air and for a time helicopters swept in to drop water.

More than 100 firefighters were trying to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby brush, Reynoso said. One firefighter was hospitalized for unspecified injuries.

Sekuler said the theme park would open Sunday, though the studio tour would not go to the King Kong part of the attraction. He said a commercial shoot was going on when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Universal Studios is located nine miles north of downtown Los Angeles that has thrill rides and a back lot where movies and television shows are filmed.

Some of the more familiar attractions on the back lot are the clock tower from the "Back To The Future" movies and the house featured in "Psycho."

Scenes from several blockbuster films and television shows have been filmed at the studios, including "War of the Worlds," "When Harry met Sally" and "Scrubs."

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By GREG RISLING , Associated Press

Last update: June 1, 2008 - 12:20 PM

LOS ANGELES - A fire at Universal Studios has destroyed a set from "Back to the Future," the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels.

Los Angeles County fire Captain Frank Reynoso says the blaze broke out just before dawn Sunday on a backlot stage at the 400-acre property. The fire has been contained.

Officials say the iconic courthouse square from "Back to the Future," has been destroyed, and the famous clocktower that enabled star Michael J. Fox's character to time travel has been damaged.

NBC Universal President and Chief Operating Officer Ron Meyer says 40,000 to 50,000 videos and reels were damaged in the video vault, but there are duplicates in a different location.

OMG that is horrific
how sis it start?

I saw the smoke from my apartment.

As bad as it was, it could have been much worse. I saw the flames I saw on the news, I thought the soundstages were going up in flames. I've filmed on the lot, and they are so close together. The area that burned was actually much more spaced out.

I think that the Producers are happy this happened.

Production wants out of Cali to work in right to work states ( Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas). No Unions.Plus production costs are so low

LA your hay-day as the film capital of the world is on its way out.

The Producers want it all.

Luckly non of the soundstages went up and the Courthouse and most of Courthouse Square was saved. Everything lost was replaceable and rebuildable, which will be done.

I'm not sorry to see King Kong go... that attraction was outdated. Not the way I wanted to see it go... but I'd rather it go up in flames then many other things.

I totally disagree! King Kong was there when I went there the first time as a little tyke when my parents took me. Now my mother has passed, it is a memory I will always treasure and every time I have gone on the tour since I have great nostalgia and memories when I seee King Kong- RAAAAHH!!