Tourists return to Universal Studios after fire

Though some firefighters were still on hand to extinguish hot spots on Monday, Universal Studios re-opened its doors to the public only one day after a massive fire ripped through a back lot and destroyed a soundstage, Hollywood sets and video archives.

Staffers opened the gates to the Universal City, Calif., movie studio and theme park Monday for a host of tourists, some of whom greeted remaining firefighters on the scene with a round of applause.

While the cause for the fire has not been determined, officials revealed that low water pressure and a faulty sprinker system were partly to blame for the length of time needed to douse the flames. The investigation into the fire continues.

The fire began in the early hours of Sunday morning and reduced to ruins a large soundstage, a host of streetscape sets, and backgrounds — including from films like Back to the Future — as well as a video library of thousands of Universal movies and TV shows.

While the theme park and a nearby shopping area were closed to the public on Sunday, the MTV Movie Awards proceeded nearby without a hitch.

Authorities reported only minor injuries from the fire. However, the damage estimates are expected to rise into the millions.