Disney’s Fire Department Comments on the Cause of the Fire in Magic Kingdom Yesterday

When you think of Disney World, you probably think about the amazing rides, delicious food, and cool merchandise. As magical as Disney World, emergency situations and evacuations can happen in the parks and resorts.

Image from DFB reader @ptolley_ on Twitter

Last night, we shared the news about a fire having been reported in Magic Kingdom and what happened as a result. Now, we’ve got an update from the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association about what reportedly caused the entire situation to transpire.

As we mentioned above, last night a fire was reported in Magic Kingdom near Cinderella Castle. As a result, guests were evacuated from Cinderella’s Royal Table and emergency response vehicles were sent to the Cinderella Castle area.

Emergency vehicles in Magic Kingdom

We shared a number of videos and photo updates that were so graciously shared with us by various readers that were in the park at the time that this situation took place.

Based on the reports and photos we got from readers in the park at the time, the area surrounding the castle was evacuated, visible smoke was coming from the bridge under the castle, and a large portion of Main Street, U.S.A. was thereafter blocked off as emergency teams handled the situation.

Some guests waited in the hub or Main Street, U.S.A. area awaiting further instructions from Cast Members, and several Cast Members were positioned to prevent guests from getting too close to the area where the emergency team was working.

Another look at the crowds

Guests waiting to enter the park for their experience at Disney Very Merriest After Hours were held at the front of Magic Kingdom to allow the situation in the park to be taken care of.

Image from DFB reader Sara W.

Disney reportedly issued a statement regarding the situation, indicating that there was a small fire in the park and that it was quickly extinguished by fire extinguishers, and that no one was hurt. According to Scott Gustin, the fire reportedly happened in a mulched area near the castle moat.

But just what caused the fire? The Orlando Sentinel has shared some updates. According to The Orlando Sentinel, the president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association, Jon Shirey, indicated that the call about the fire came in as an “electrical fire on a junction box outside the castle.”

Magic Kingdom Crowds

Shirey said that once the firefighters arrived on the scene, they reportedly “saw a tree on fire next to the structure.” Firefighters apparently told Shirey that a “firework appeared to have caught the tree on fire…but the cause of the blaze is still pending investigation by the Fire Marshall.” As the Sentinel notes, there was no scheduled fireworks show at the time of the incident — the first call came in around 6:45PM.

The fire team reportedly treated a security guard who had “inhaled dry chemicals from a fire extinguisher.” The Sentinel shares that a Disney spokesperson also indicated that a Cast Member had been “transported from the park for non-emergency treatment. No other injuries were reported.”

Cinderella Castle at Night

This is a developing situation. This situation serves as a good reminder to be prepared in case you happen to be in Disney World when an emergency takes place. Be sure to discuss potential emergency situation plans with your family, listen to the instructions of the Cast Members, and be aware of your surroundings.

We’ll continue to look for more updates and share those with you.

Click here to see more about the fire.

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The post Disney’s Fire Department Comments on the Cause of the Fire in Magic Kingdom Yesterday first appeared on the disney food blog.