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TUSTIN, Calif. (AP) - A $35 million lighter-than-air dirigible was damaged and began leaking helium when part of a hangar roof collapsed at a former Marine base in Southern California.
The Orange County Register reports ( http://bit.ly/1bCQ6wZ) the partial collapse was reported Monday morning at one of the World War II-era blimp hangars at the former Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin.
Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority says hazardous-material crews have been called to stop the helium leak.
The cause of the collapse is not known, but debris is believed to have fallen on the airship, which is more than 200 feet long.
The dirigible is being developed by Worldwide Aeros, which says the vessel will be capable of carrying 66 tons of cargo.
The extent of damage is not known.
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Information from: The Orange County Register, http://www.ocregister.com
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