The flames started inside one out of the two wooden hangers that used to house blimps used in World War II. The blimps were used to patrol U.S. coastlines and to watch for enemy combat submarines.
The Tustin base was built in 1942 and the hangar... was massive. The building stood at 17 stories high, over one thousand feet long, and three hundred feet wide. Making the Tustin hangers among the largest wooden hangars ever built according to the website, Tustin Hangars.
The hangars can be seen from miles away from any nearby elevation and from as far away that visibility will allow.
According to the Tustin History website, the base employed almost five-thousand military personnel. It also housed about 4,500 residents who lived on the base.
The iconic hangers have since been locations for numerous air shows and community charity events. The hangars have also been featured in famous television shows and films including: “Star Trek,” “Austin Powers,” “Pearl Harbor,” “JAG,” and “The X Files.”
Several people gathered around the burning hangar, as the building, glowing in flames, collapsed.
As of today, there is still an ongoing investigation as to how the fire started. But, because of the continued small spark ups in the debris, arson investigators have not been allowed inside the building.
In a brief phone call with a spokesperson from the Orange County Fire Department, the information officer said that it is too early to tell if any artifacts or items can be recovered, and if they are, they will be apart of the investigation that’s going to take quite some time to uncover.
The Spokesperson also told Annenberg Media that they are closely monitoring the debris.. and if any spots flare up throughout the day... they are continuing efforts in putting out the flames and also cleaning up debris at the site.
For Annenberg Radio News, I’m Piper Vaughn.