A structure fire at 1041 Production Studios on Monday damaged a piece of historic property that was once a part of Radio Recorders, a recording studio once utilized by Elvis Presley and Louis Armstrong.

A fire erupted in the 1041 Production Studios on Monday, damaging a small percentage of the building. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

While the Radio Recorders building at 7000 Santa Monica housed a majority of the operations, the building at 1041 N. Orange Drive housed the Echo Chambers, where audio tie lines connected the studios in the two buildings, said 1041 Production Studios owner Ken Balser.

While the fire was unfortunate, Balser estimated that only 5 to 10 percent of the building was damaged. He said the fire started at 7 p.m. on Monday, when “everyone was there,” but he wouldn’t elaborate on a potential cause. Balser just said an investigation is ongoing.

“We’re going to be OK,” he said. “We’re going to be fine.”

Balser said the Echo Chambers were spared, and the bow-truss building, which was built in 1923, will continue to be operational as contractors make repairs. He said the fire started and was contained inside one of the studios on the south side of the building.

“As luck would have it, all the historic aspects have been retained and preserved,” Balser added.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, 72 firefighters responded and extinguished the fire in 18 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Balser, who has owned the property since 1983, said 1041 Production Studios still records music, albeit for “up-and-coming youngsters.” The property at 7000 Santa Monica Blvd., where Presley recorded “Jail House Rock”, is now an office for a certified public accountant.