Tustin Hangar Fire: Copper Wire Thieves Suspected in Blaze

Tustin Hangar Fire Investigation

• 💡 New documents reveal a break-in occurred at the Tustin blimp hangar the day before the fire.
• ⚠️ Investigators are looking into the possibility that stolen copper wiring could be the cause of the blaze.
• 🔍 The Orange County Fire Authority has not officially determined the cause but has not ruled out theft as a factor.

Frequent Break-ins at the Hangar

• 📌 Witnesses and neighbors report that the hangars, located on a former military base, were frequently broken into by transients and teens.
• 🚪 Intruders would reportedly hang out, sleep in, and break into the hangars, with plywood covering windows being easily removed.
• 🏠 The former military base has not been operational for many years, contributing to the security issues.

Investigation Status and Challenges

• 📉 Investigators have ruled out electrical fires, lightning, and fireworks, but are still unable to definitively determine the fire's origin.
• ⏳ The investigation took over 16 months to yield new documents, with authorities citing difficulties in tracking down witnesses.
• 🚒 The fire burned for 24 days, spewing toxins like asbestos and arsenic into the surrounding area, causing significant concern and requiring Hazmat cleanup.

State of the Tustin Hangars

• 🏗️ The Tustin hangars are among the largest wooden structures ever built, standing 17 stories tall and covering the area of five football fields.
• ⚠️ The hangar that burned down was in worse condition, having sustained previous damage and being a compromised structure.
• 🌳 The other hangar, still standing, has been used for commercials and movies and holds sentimental value for veterans and the community.