Blowtorch Ignited Studio Fire

The Universal Studios theme park reopened yesterday after a disastrous fire on the back lot destroyed sets, a video archive and the King Kong attraction. Investigators believe the blaze was caused by workmen using a blowtorch on a New York City street set, reports the Los Angeles Times. Low water pressure hampered firefighting efforts.  

Universal's 30 sound stages and a number of sets, including the "Desperate Housewives' " Wisteria Lane set, were not touched by the 3.5 acre blaze. Ten productions resumed work Monday. The video archive, which included many movies and tv shows, had been copied to a digital format. (More Universal Studios stories.)