This 1962 documentary tells the story of a fire that started on November 5th, 1961 in Bel Air, Los Angeles, and over the course of three days destroyed 484 homes, damaged 190 others, and burned over 16,000 acres. The $30 million disaster led to new laws by the city to eliminate wood shingle roofs and to clear dry brush away from homes. The film was produced by the Los Angeles Fire Department and is narrated by actor William Conrad
Community
Vote on scenes, quotes, and characters for Design for Disaster (1962).
The moment that still lives in your head.
Starters for Design for Disaster
Your take
Rate this title
Tap half or full stars · 0.5–10 scale
Be the first Cinemoood rating
Open communitySign in to save your rating.
None yet
See all
Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet
2021 · 7.5
Desynchronized
2021 · 10.0
Les Mégafeux, la nouvelle guerre du feu
2022 · 8.5
Chlorine and the Firefighter
1974
Rolling Forward
2026
Rebuilding
2025 · 6.5
The Fire Triangle
1962
High Rise Building Problems
1973
Condemned
1963
Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch
2024 · 5.1
