Universal's Islands of Adventure reopens section evacuated because of fire
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls ride will remain closed indefinitely
Universal Studios Orlando
By Susan Jacobson and Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
7:58 p.m. EST, January 1, 2011
A section at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure has reopened after a fire forced its evacuation this evening.
Flames and heavy black smoke erupted at Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, a water ride at Islands of Adventure, about 5:00 p.m., a Universal spokesman said. Toon Lagoon, where the ride is, was evacuated, park spokesman Tom Schroder said.
"We do have a fire," Schroder. "We evacuated the entire island where the ride is."
The fire was extinguished in a little more than half an hour, fire officials said tonight. It was not in the main building, but near a trough through which the log-shaped cars move. No damage estimates were available.
Orlando fire Lt. Arnold Alvarez said no one was hurt. An investigation is under way to determine the cause, he said.
Toon Lagoon is now open again, but Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls will main closed until the problem is pinpointed and fixed, Schroder said.
"Ripsaw Falls will be closed tomorrow, but beyond that, it's too soon to speculate," he said.
A park guest, Anthony Rosa, said he was in the Harry Potter area when he saw smoke from across the lake in the center of the park. A moment later, he smelled burning plastic.
A large crowd began walking across a bridge and away from Ripsaw Falls, Rosa said. The number of those evacuated was not immediately available, but Schroder said dozens of people were in the area.
Rosa said he wouldn't go back to the ride immediately even if it reopened.
"It's a bit concerning," he said. "I'd definitely be second-guessing it the whole time."
Susan Gartner, a chaperone with the marching band from Wamego High School in Kansas, said she was eating when she saw black smoke rise out of Toon Lagoon. She began trying to contact other chaperones and students, who said they saw flames shooting out of the ride.
"Thank goodness" they were OK, Gartner said.
Anyone who witnessed the fire and can provide photos and/or video, please send via e-mail to news [at] orlandosentinel [dot] com.
Schroder would not say what compensation might be available to people who were forced to get off the ride.
"In a situation like this, we would always work with our guests and do what is right," he said. "We're happy to work with our guests and make them feel that they're accommodated.
The park will remain open until midnight as scheduled, and people are still coming and going.
Joined: Nov 10, 2005 Posts: 3811 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:58 am Post subject:
We could see the smoke from our back yard. My son Jack works at Harry Potter but was off that day. I have been told since IOA opened by one of the construction workers there that Ripsaw Falls is a death trap waiting to happen. I won't let any family or friends ride it when they're here. _________________ John
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