In a devastating incident that has prompted widespread sorrow, a historic World War II-era hangar at the former Tustin Air Base in Orange County was engulfed in flames and ultimately destroyed early Tuesday morning. The hangar, a cherished part of the region's military history, succumbed to the fire, leaving a gaping void in the local community.

The fire broke out at approximately 1:30 a.m. near Valencia Avenue and Armstrong Road, with flames rapidly consuming the towering wooden structure's roof. Multiple sections of the roof gave way and collapsed onto the ground, forcing firefighters to cautiously position themselves outside the hangar due to the risk of structural collapse.

The extraordinary nature of the incident prompted authorities to summon a helicopter to assist in battling the blaze. This measure, previously unheard of in such circumstances, highlights the magnitude of the fire. The fire authority, in a tweet, stated, "We have determined the most operationally sound method is to allow the structure to collapse, at which point ground crews can move in closer and aggressively work to extinguish the fire."

The hangars that were affected by the fire once housed blimps utilized during World War II. These colossal structures, standing at a staggering 17 stories high, stretching over 1,000 feet in length and 300 feet in width, remain as two of the largest wooden buildings ever constructed, according to Tustin Hangars' website.

The loss of the hangar struck a deep emotional chord with locals, including Angie Kardashian, who expressed her sadness as she witnessed black smoke billowing from the remnants of the structure. Kardashian, a restaurant owner in Tustin who provided free Thanksgiving meals to Marines and families, shared her personal connection to the hangars, recounting memories of spending time there with the Marines and even possessing a piece of the hangar on display at home. She tearfully acknowledged, "I just can't believe that this is happening."

As Kardashian recounted her story to NBCLA, one of the Marines she had served arrived at the scene. Embracing each other, they watched in somber reflection as a potent symbol of Tustin's history went up in smoke.

Tustin Mayor Austin Lumbard, visibly affected by the loss, remarked, "Today's a sad day. These hangars mean so much more than being structures. Many have served on this base, worked inside the hangars. They're part of Orange County's past as a military community. It's not the end for the North Hangar that was envisioned."

It is worth noting that the North Hangar had previously suffered roof damage in October 2013 due to a powerful windstorm. Although the Navy had stabilized the roof following the storm, the building had remained closed since then.

Fortunately, the South Hangar, also known as Hangar 2, stood unscathed and unaffected by the fire. Located near Warner Avenue and Tustin Ranch Road, the building will now undergo evaluation for its potential future use.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which has left a void in Orange County's military history and has cast a somber shadow over the community. The loss of this cherished landmark serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served at the former Tustin Air Base, as well as the significance of preserving and honoring our rich military heritage.