A fire swept through one of Walt Disney World’s most congested theme parks, EPCOT, on Saturday afternoon, putting park visitors in a panic. The fire started in the rear of the France Pavilion in the park, generating heavy black smoke that rolled across the sky.
Officials reported that the fire started close to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction, and while EPCOT is not prone to such an incident, it made the event itself all the more concerning. Several of the Spring Break visitors recorded the mayhem on their phones, and shared clips showing black smoke engulfing the themed area.
What caused the Walt Disney Epcot fire?
Officials indicated that their investigations determined the fire started when a walk-in cooler backstage in the French Pavilion suddenly erupted into flames. A Walt Disney World official affirmed that the blaze was contained by 7:20 p.m. local time. While no injuries were reported, the sudden movement of the smoke and surprise evacuations shocked guests and staff alike.
Video footage shot from a Disney Skyliner gondola showed a lot of people being evacuated from the attraction and surrounding areas. Guests who were eating, watching shows, or experiencing the Parisian-themed adventure had to vacate as the smoke grew thicker. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District fire department moved in quickly to extinguish the blaze within minutes.
Did the fire affect business at Walt Disney?
The disruption was a temporary one, as the France Pavilion reopened to guests later in the evening, but the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride was closed for the rest of the day. While Disney downplayed the event’s impact, there have been concerns regarding safety, particularly during high-traffic times like the Spring Break.
The France Pavilion at EPCOT has gained popularity over the past few years, with more attractions and restaurant spaces opening up, drawing in more visitors. Other sections of the pavilion were temporarily closed as workers set out to clear the scene following the fire.