When a fire-breathing dragon caught hearth at Disneyland on Saturday evening, some spectators thought it was a part of the present.
However the prop being engulfed in flames was unintended, and officers have been investigating the trigger, Sgt. Jon McClintock, a spokesman for the Anaheim Police Division and Anaheim Fireplace and Rescue, mentioned on Sunday.
Not less than six employees have been handled for smoke inhalation however didn’t require additional analysis, he mentioned.
The hearth was reported at about 11 p.m. native time, half-hour after the beginning of a efficiency of “Fantasmic!”
The present, through which Mickey Mouse goals that he’s a sorcerer’s apprentice, makes use of “beautiful results, thrilling stunts, dazzling pyrotechnics and rousing music,” according to a description on Disneyland’s website.
A prop depicts Maleficent, one of many villains within the story, as a 45-foot dragon that breathes hearth throughout part of the efficiency.
As a crowd watched, the fireplace began across the dragon’s head after which unfold to its physique and alongside its neck, according to a TikTok video.
“Your consideration, please,” a voice mentioned over a loudspeaker as the fireplace unfold. “Because of unexpected circumstances, this efficiency of ‘Fantasmic!’ won’t proceed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may increasingly trigger.”
When the prop started to catch on hearth, Tim Turensek, an accountant who was visiting from Minneapolis, mentioned he briefly thought the blaze was an intentional a part of the present.
“My sister and I have been speaking about the way it was spectacular,” he mentioned. “I used to be like, ‘Man, they’ll set that head on hearth and it simply stays completely intact?’ So we have been type of amazed at Disney at first after which realized it was not a part of the present.”
From the place he stood from about 150 toes away, Mr. Turensek may really feel the warmth from the fireplace.
It was not instantly clear what the dragon prop was product of or what fueled its hearth results.
The realm instantly across the hearth was evacuated and closed, whereas the remainder of the park remained open. Employees have been safely evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island, the place the efficiency takes place, Disneyland mentioned in an announcement.
“We’re quickly suspending hearth results just like these used at Disneyland park’s ‘Fantasmic!’ at choose reveals and leisure experiences globally out of an abundance of warning following the ‘Fantasmic!’ prop hearth,” Disneyland mentioned.
