Fire Erupts at Disney’s Epcot, Prompting Guest Evacuation
A fire incident occurred at Disney’s Epcot theme park in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday afternoon, causing a temporary evacuation and some panic among visitors.
Smoke Billows from French Pavilion Area
Thick plumes of dark smoke were observed rising into the air behind the iconic Eiffel Tower replica in the park’s France pavilion. The fire reportedly intensified, drawing attention across the park.
Backstage Cooler Fire Triggers Evacuation
According to park officials, the incident originated from a walk-in cooler that unexpectedly caught fire in a backstage area. This led to the precautionary evacuation of the popular ‘Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure’ attraction.
The disruption quickly broke the immersive Parisian atmosphere, as guests enjoying the French-themed area were asked to leave.
Footage captured from park cable cars showed numerous individuals being directed away from the ride. Others who were dining, watching street performances, or browsing shops in the vicinity also had to evacuate.
The incident occurred during Spring Break, traditionally one of the busiest periods for Disney parks, resulting in potentially higher visitor numbers.
Blaze Contained, No Guest Area Damage
Although the fire did not extend to guest-accessible zones, the visible smoke and proximity to public areas caused significant alarm among park attendees.
Disney representatives stated that the fire was extinguished by approximately 7:20 PM. However, many visitors had already documented the unfolding event, sharing footage of the smoke on social media platforms.
A fire at Disney’s Epcot theme park on Saturday led to visitor evacuations. The Eiffel Tower replica in Epcot’s France pavilion is visible on the left.
Dense black smoke was seen rising from the backstage area within Epcot’s French Pavilion.
The fire incident prompted the evacuation of the popular ‘Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure’ ride.
No Injuries Reported, Guests Express Concern
Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Despite this, many guests expressed concern and unease following the incident.
“It’s out now, but it was a scary moment for a minute!” one visitor shared on social media platform X.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
As of now, details regarding the cause and the precise origin of the fire have not been disclosed.
Later in the evening, visitors reported that the situation appeared to be under control and the fire was fully extinguished.
The France pavilion within Epcot subsequently reopened to park guests.
Epcot: A Blend of Innovation and Global Culture
Epcot, one of the four major theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, is renowned for its unique combination of technological innovation and international cultural showcases.
During peak periods such as Spring Break weekends, Epcot’s attendance can exceed 100,000 visitors.
Smoke was visible across the World Showcase lagoon from areas representing the UK and Canada.
Clouds of smoke drifted across the World Showcase Lagoon, located centrally within Epcot.
Smoke could be seen extending high into the sky from a distance.
Guests on the cable cars captured images of the smoke incident from an elevated perspective.
Disney confirmed the fire was quickly put out, but social media captured numerous videos of the smoke.
Heavy smoke obscured the area during the Saturday afternoon fire at Epcot.
The fire incident occurred within the World Showcase section of Disney’s Epcot theme park.