A massive fire broke out early Tuesday morning, engulfing the historic north blimp hangar in Tustin, Orange County. The hangar, a landmark dating back to World War II, was part of the now-defunct Tustin Naval Air Station. In an effort to combat the intense blaze, officials used helicopters to drop water on the large structure. The cause of the fire, which started at 1 a.m., has not yet been determined.

Due to the size and complexity of the fire, firefighters plan to let the flames collapse the mostly wooden hangar before attempting to extinguish the fire. The hangar, one of two on the site, housed 12 blimps that were used for submarine patrol during the war. It is considered one of the world's largest free-standing wooden structures and is listed on the Register of National Historic Places.

Firefighters are currently stationed outside the hangar, placing their units strategically to direct water into the structure. They are prepared for the building to collapse and are located in safe positions. Nearby structures are being protected as firefighters work to contain the fire, battling it from both the ground and the air.

The base had been closed since 1991, and plans to develop the site into a regional park fell through in 2021.