Security Guard Held in Universal Studios Fire

A security guard who has worked at Universal Studios less than two months was arrested on suspicion of arson this morning in connection with the blaze that swept through the Universal Studios’ back lot, destroying movie sets and causing millions of dollars in damage, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

Michael J. Huston, 40, of Tujunga was booked at the sheriff’s West Hollywood station for structure arson, spokeswoman Deputy Britta Rodela said.

Huston was arrested about 4 a.m. today “based partially on statements he made� to arson investigators, Rodela said. Investigators have not determined the exact cause of the blaze, nor have damage estimates been tallied.

Universal Studios officials said early this morning that the fire destroyed or damaged 20% of the 420-acre complex’s lot, but they said damage to the studio tour attractions--such as the King Kong exhibit--was less than originally believed.

“Kong lives,� said Ron Bension, president of Universal Studios-Hollywood. He said the fire damaged the exterior of the building where the giant ape attraction is housed, but the computers and the mechanical creature were not damaged.

Bension said the damage was centered in the outdoor sets, such as the two-block-long New York Street, where such productions as “The Sting,� “Dick Tracy� and “Kojak� were filmed. Bension said it appeared that the fire started on New York Street, but Fire Department officials said that has not been confirmed.

“We are in pretty good shape,� Bension said. “It was pretty scary, but we are fairly relieved.�

The fire did nothing to deter tourists today. Leaving promptly at 9:30 a.m., trams full of visitors rolled around smoldering remains of sets from such popular films as “The Sting,� “To Kill a Mockingbird� and the “Back to the Future� series.

“The show must go on. The show will go on,� said one tour driver who gave his name only as Larry.

“The idea is to show you all of our back lot; only a small portion was actually damaged.�

The only main attraction not operating today was the King Kong exhibit, but studio officials said it should be open in a matter of days.

Some visitors said the fire gave the tour, the third most popular theme park in the nation, added appeal.

“It encouraged us to come,� said Carolyn Garrahan of Cape Cod., Mass., who took the tour with her husband, Tom. “We wanted to see the damage. We wanted to see what’s left of the place.�

Chris Bridge, who traveled with his family of four from western Australia, came to Universal City especially for the studio tour.

“We saw all the smoke last night,� he said. “It was a great show. Much better than the elections.�

Sgt. Dale Underwood of the Sheriff’s Department arson unit said Huston was on duty when the fire ignited on the back lot. During a routine interview by investigators, Huston made statements that “obviously� raised suspicions, Underwood said, refusing to disclose a possible motive.

Huston was being held in lieu of $1-million bail.