Universal Studios Fire

As a current production coordinator and former tour guide at Universal Studios, I am writing this letter to praise the various engine companies that responded to the Nov. 6 blaze which leveled a good portion of historical filming sets on the back lot at Universal Studios. I’ve come to appreciate the back lot over the years as a sentimental area with many good memories, both personal and cinematically rooted.

Most of the reports about the election night blaze have focused on the amount of destruction done by the fire as it flamed out of control for almost two hours. I’d like to highlight another angle, focusing on the skill and courage of the collective firefighters, who saved a great many other sets that would have also perished, if not for the swift and skillful response of the engine companies and aerial chopper units involved.

Within minutes, these men were attacking the fire with a courage as fierce as the blaze itself. They continued their battle, on the ground as well as in the air, until the blaze was finally under control, hampered the whole time by high winds that made the fight all the more dangerous and unpredictable.

Being the grandson of a fireman, I’ve always known the dangers associated with the profession, but until Nov. 6, was never fully aware of just how courageous these guys really are, ready to risk their own lives in order to save the lives and property of other people.

Their modest self-perception is summed up by a comment made to me by one of the firefighters on the scene that night: “We’re just doing our job.” Like all true heroes, they never consider themselves as such, but anyone who has seen them in action, knows different. Heroes for sure, even if they are just doing their job.

EDWARD J. MASTERSON

Production Coordinator, “Quantum Leap”

Universal City