A fire broke out on Saturday night at Disneyland in Anaheim, California during a live performance of “Fantasmic!” The incident occurred when a large animatronic dragon, portraying the character of Maleficent, caught fire and engulfed in flames. The blaze was intense enough to prompt the evacuation of Tom Sawyer’s Island and Adventureland, as well as a temporary suspension of similar fire effects in all Disney parks worldwide. According to the New York Post, the 45-feet-tall dragon was destroyed and several park goers were seen running in panic. However, no injuries were reported during the incident (New York Post). The scene was captured by many of the guests, who took to social media, sharing photos and videos of the burned dragon and the set.
Although the cause of the fire is not yet clear, Disneyland officials said that they will investigate the incident thoroughly. Meanwhile, the theme park remains open for guests. “We take the safety of our guests and cast members very seriously and are working diligently to identify the cause of the fire,” said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland spokesperson (KTLA).
This is not the first time a fire incident happened at Disneyland. In 2017, similar occurrences occurred when a small fire broke out on the roof of It’s a Small World ride and around an outdoor vending cart. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during that incident (Los Angeles Daily News).
The latest blaze, however, highlights the safety concerns in the amusement park industry, and the need for operators’ continuous implementation of safety protocols to guarantee the safety of guests and employees.
