Orange County officials said Friday that the Tustin hangar fire has been “completely extinguished” after 24 days, calling the fire “one of the most challenging structure fires in the county’s history.”

I am pleased to inform the public that the final hotspot in the Navy hangar fire has been extinguished, Steve Dohman, Orange County All-Hazards Incident Management Team

I

incident

c

the commander said in a statement. Now that all hotspots have been identified, work to safely lower the hangar doors can begin, and the Navy can begin removing debris from the site.

The cause of the fire, which started in the early morning hours of Nov. 7 at the now-defunct Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin, remains under investigation.

The massive 17-story wooden hangar, an 80-year-old relic of Orange County’s military history, became an environmental nightmare when the fire reignited several times

about

forcing the closure of nearby schools and forcing residents to close their homes as the fire released asbestos, lead and other toxins into the air.

Fire officials at one point decided the safest option was to let the fire burn itself out, fearing thousands of gallons would fall.

of water

on the structure

further Further

spread the debris and toxic particles.

On Friday, officials estimated that this was correct

from nearby schools, parks, open space

,

and public rights

S

Naturally

swore something

90% complete and all

well more than

50% of the homes have been inspected and 35% have been cleared.

Local officials advise residents concerned about debris to contact a certified asbestos contractor and their homeowner

s insurance company.

“The residents and businesses in the area affected by this fire now need the full responsibility of the Navy and the support of the Governors Office and FEMA to help our city and our community recover financially,” the spokesperson said.

said

Tustin Mayor Austin Lumbard

said

in a statement.

The north hangar was one of two massive wooden structures used by the military during World War II and later served as the setting for the TV show Star Trek and the movie Pearl Harbor. The hangars once housed military helicopters and zeppelins, armed with machine guns and bombs.