Fire Quickly Contained at Hollywood’s Magic Castle; Damage Still Being Assessed

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:08:00 +0200

A fire broke out Tuesday evening in the attic of Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle, a century-old mansion that houses the Academy of Magical Arts. Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department were dispatched at 5:28 p.m., launching an aggressive response involving roof ventilation and fire suppression on the building’s upper floor. Sixty-eight firefighters collaborated to contain the blaze by 6:09 p.m., sparing the historic structure from extensive damage. The extent of harm to the 117-year-old building remains under evaluation. Officials suspect that roof work earlier that day might have triggered the blaze, as employees told authorities that contractors had been using blowtorches to melt roofing materials. Aerial footage later showed light smoke rising from the roof while crews continued cleanup, smoke removal, and salvage operations through the evening. Several individuals were examined by paramedics, but no injuries were reported. The Magic Castle—nestled in the Hollywood Hills—h