Credit: Stephen Ford/TwitterShortly before 2 PM on Friday, June 30, what was described as an explosion was heard on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California. The explosion was followed by a power outage, after which dark plumes of smoke could be seen emanating from the property.
WGA picketers and others on the lot were warned to stay safe and away from the area as the clouds of smoke became visible over both Burbank and Toluca Lake.
RIGHT NOW: Major fire at @wbpictures
To all employees, contract workers, and picketers, STAY SAFE!@warnerbros @WGAWest @PreWGAStrike @wgastrikeunite #wb #warnerbros #fire #backlotfire #soundstagefire pic.twitter.com/fLbvVsypdT— Erik Deutscher (@ErikTheAnimal) June 30, 2023
Related: John Mulaney Thinks Studios May Feel Burn of Writers Strike Before Audiences
Others happened to be inside the lot for their regularly scheduled studio tours. One person managed to get a video from where they were at the time:
Video of the fire from INSIDE the Warner Bros lot during a studio tour. pic.twitter.com/9TquEtL53M
— Randy Troy (@RandyTroy) June 30, 2023
Related: Warner Bros. Forces ‘The Penguin’ To Film Through Wildfires
Another bystander caught a video from across the road, where the black smoke poured out of a large building covered in Barbie advertisements.
The WB lot is on fire right now. pic.twitter.com/dtF2iH1BQd
— Stephen Ford (@StephenSeanFord) June 30, 2023
Related: Margot Robbie Thought “They” Would Never Let Her Make ‘Barbie’
The cause of the fire, as reported by the Burbank Fire Department, was a large transformer explosion. Firefighters arrived on the scene only moments after the fire began, was able to be contain the fire to the area of the transformer and put it out within minutes.
The official report from the department is as follows:
At 1.38pm, Burbank fire department was dispatched to a reported fire at Warner Brothers Studios in the 4300 block of W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA. After arriving on scene, crews determined that an electrical transformer was on fire.
Fire crews quickly attacked the fire and knockdown occurred at 2.03pm. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters. The fire is currently under investigation.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department has confirmed that there were no injuries, and no damage done to any of the studio buildings.
Have you ever seen a fire get put out that fast? Have another thought on the fire, or Warner Bros.? Tell us all about it in the comments below.