Universal Studio's King Kong attraction and several movie sets, including the iconic courthouse square from "Back to the Future," are among the casualties of a massive fire.

A video vault holding 40,000 to 50,000 reels and videos was also damaged, but NBC Universal President and Chief Operating Officer Ron Meyer said there were duplicates at another location.

"Fortunately, nothing irreplaceable was lost," he told reporters Sunday.

Los Angeles County fire Inspector Daryl Jacobs said that at least one building and three blocks of movie facades had been destroyed.

"The facades are constructed of heavy timber and they tend to burn quite freely," he told The Associated Press.

Two recreated New York and New England streets used in films and as tourist displays were "a total loss," he said.

Firefighters said the King Kong exhibit building -- where the giant mechanical ape bellows at tourists on a tram tour as an artificial banana scent is released into the air -- is a complete loss.

Los Angeles fire Capt. Frank Reynoso said the blaze was reported on the 162-hectare site just before dawn. Some media reports say the fire started at 4:44 a.m. local time.

About 100 firefighters were working with the studio's own crew to fight the blaze, he said. Helicopters were used at one point to drop water on the blaze.

One firefighter suffered unspecified injuries.

Studio spokesman Eliot Sekuler said the rest of the park's attractions, which includes thrill rides and memorabilia from various movies, would remain open.

A commercial shoot was going on when the fire broke out. An investigation will be launched to determine the fire's cause, he said.

The studio is located 15 kilometres northwest of downtown Los Angeles, mostly within Los Angeles County.

The back lot includes the house featured in "Psycho" and the clock tower from the "Back to the Future" movies. The clock tower has been damaged but not destroyed.

Movies and television shows that have had scenes shot at the studio include "War of the Worlds," "When Harry Met Sally" and "Scrubs."

With files from The Associated Press