Photos: The devastating 1995 fire at Old Tucson
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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Many of Old Tucson's most historic and iconic Western buildings, sets, props and wardrobe were lost in a fire on April 24, 1995. Much of the park was rebuilt, but never regained its prominence in production of the Western movie genre.
Here's what firefighters had to say about the fire 20 years later.
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Fire at Old Tucson
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Fire engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. The park never had a complete inspection by the State Fire Marshal due to a bureaucratic glitch. Linda Seeger Salazar / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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Fire engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Linda Seeger Salazar / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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Fire engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Investigators said the fire was so hot it likely obliterated many clues as to the cause. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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Firefighters judiciously used water, since it had to be shuttled to the fire. Officials estimated nearly 900,000 gallons was used to douse the flames at Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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Fire engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Firefighters lacked a good water supply to fight the fire. Linda Seeger Salazar / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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Old Tucson employees watch as fire engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Only two minor injuries were reported. Linda Seeger Salazar / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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Employees of Old Tucson and volunteer round up animals that ran from Old Tucson during a massive fire on April 24, 1995. All the animals in the petting zoo were rescued - including 63 horses used mostly by guests. The animals were herded into corrals in the northeast section of the park. Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen
Fire at Old Tucson
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EMT Jeremy Ellis monitors Northwest firefighter Philip Breton after Breton took in too much smoke while fighting a massive fire at Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen
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Fire engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Frustrated firefighters wait for water tenders to shuttle water from a hydrant five miles away. Linda Seeger Salazar / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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Firefighters syphon water from a bladder into a South Tucson pumper at a massive fire at Old Tucson on April 24, 1995. Yoni Pozner / Tucson Citizen
Fire at Old Tucson
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Embers are carried skyward as engulfs Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen
Fire at Old Tucson
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Investigators Michael Blair and Sandy Rosenthal walk down Front Street near the Mexican Plaza at Old Tucson on April 25, 1995, after a fire engulfed the much of the sets and buildings. Seven of the 11 investigators were from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Ed Compean / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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An antique fire truck on May 2, 1995, after fire destroyed much of Old Tucson on April 24. Ed Compean / Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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The remains of a cannon rest near the Spanish mission in Old Tucson on April 26, 1995 after a fire destroyed much of the park on April 24. Gary Gaynor / Tucson Citizen
Fire at Old Tucson
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The remains of Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 25, 1995 after fire engulfed much of the park on April 24. Management estimated 40-percent of the park was destroyed. Arizona Daily Star
Fire at Old Tucson
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The Remains of Old Tucson a day after a fire engulfed Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Lost in the fire was Michael Landon's wardrobe from the television series "Little House on the Prairie," dresses worn in episodes of "High Chaparral" and "Bonanza," and some wardrobe items used by John Wayne in films such as "Rio Bravo" and "El Dorado." Ed Compean / Arizona Daily Star
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Bob Kenniston, left, general manager at Old Tucson, talks with studio founder Robert Shelton a day after fire engulfed Old Tucson Movie Studios on April 24, 1995. Old Tucson Studios drew an estimated 500,000 people in 1994, per published reports. Ed Compean / Arizona Daily Star
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Workers building a wall for the film "Arizona" in Old Tucson ca. 1939. The movie's sets were the genesis of Old Tucson Studios. Courtesy Old Tucson
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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Residents might be able to see smoke from burn on Wednesday, Friday.
