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WWII-era blimp hangar’s partial collapse triggers helium leak

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A portion of the roof of a World War II-era blimp hangar in Tustin collapsed early Monday, damaging a $35-million experimental zeppelin and triggering a helium leak.

Employees at the hangar were evacuated and a hazardous material teams was working to contain the leak, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

“We had a collapse of a large section and it fell onto a blimp that caused damage,” Concialdi said. He said the incident was reported at 7:45 a.m.

The extent of the damage was unknown and the cause has not been determined, Concialdi said. There were no reports of injuries.

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The damaged blimp was identified as an Aeroscraft zeppelin, an airship made of aluminum and carbon fiber that its builders says represents a new type of “hybrid” aircraft that combines airplane and airship technologies.

The experimental version of a cargo-hauling airship is being built by Worldwide Aeros Corp.

Worldwide Aeros declined to immediately comment on the damage.

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Twitter: @AdolfoFlores3

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adolfo.flores@latimes.com

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