A fire broke out in a wooden blimp hangar on Tuesday in Tustin, California. The hangar, which played a significant role during World War II, was demolished in flames throughout the day. Despite the efforts of over 70 firefighters, the fire could not be contained, resulting in authorities allowing the building to burn rather than put more firefighters at risk. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
At 17 stories tall, 1,000 feet long, and 300 feet wide, the hangar was among the largest wooden structures built in the 20th Century. Videos and photos shared on social media by the fire authority on Tuesday morning expressed the severity of the fire. The chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, Brian Fennessy, expressed his disappointment over the hangar’s destruction, acknowledging the landmark’s long history of serving as an emblem of the city’s contributions during World War II.
The hangar was built in 1942 as the Santa Ana Naval Air Station and was used to house blimps that patrolled America’s coastline primarily to watch for enemy submarines. Although such a loss is disappointing, officials in Tustin had been attempting to preserve the hangar. They had been in touch with the U.S. Navy, which owns the building. The hangar and its historical significance were recognized as National Landmarks, adding to the sting of its loss due to the fire.
