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TUSTIN, California – Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at the former Tustin Air Base in Tustin, which broke out around 1:30 a.m. at Valencia Avenue and Armstrong Road. When they arrived, flames were already bursting through the roof of a wooden building, and a helicopter was called in to drop water on the fire. The fire originated inside a hangar that once housed blimps used during World War II.
These historic hangars, part of Orange County’s heritage since WWII, have appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including “JAG,” “The X Files,” “Austin Powers,” “Pearl Harbor,” and “Star Trek.” Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area.
The fire was so extensive that helicopters were deployed to assist in firefighting efforts. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the extent of damage to the predominantly wooden structure is uncertain.
These hangars are massive, each standing 17 stories tall, 1,088 feet long, 297 feet wide, and covering almost 300,000 square feet. They are some of the world’s largest free-standing wooden structures, with giant concrete pylons anchoring their corners.
Built mainly from Oregon Douglas fir, the hangars had 2 million board feet of wood treated with metallic salts as a fire retardant. Both hangars are listed in the Register of National Historic Places and played a significant role during WWII, housing 12 blimps equipped with machine guns, bombs, and charges for submarine patrol.
Despite concerns about their preservation a decade ago, the fire now threatens their existence.
The Tustin Air Base closed in 1991, and the hangars had become iconic landmarks in Orange County. The fire, which ignited at 1 a.m., has consumed one of the two hangars built as part of the Tustin Naval Air Station, which once housed fleets of blimps used for various purposes.
Firefighters have been in defensive mode to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures, with fire crews from Anaheim and Costa Mesa assisting in the firefight. Onlookers are shocked to see this historical landmark go up in flames.
The Tustin hangars have been used in many notable TV shows and were the venue for events like the Tustin Hangar 5K half marathon.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation, and fortunately, there have been no reported injuries. However, as of 4:30 a.m., the north hangar continued to burn, with concerns that the structure may eventually collapse. The firefighters are working diligently to extinguish the fire safely, using long hoses to pump water from nearby hydrants due to the lack of water on the property.
The hangar was not only an important part of Orange County’s history but also one of the world’s largest wooden structures, contributing to the region’s heritage. Losing these iconic hangars is a significant tragedy for those who have cherished them as historical treasures.
It’s important to note that the cause of the fire is currently unknown, and arson investigators are on the scene. The firefight remains active, and the public is advised to avoid the area. The loss of these hangars represents a devastating moment in Orange County’s history, and it will be challenging to see anything like them again.
