‘Big giant fireball’ engulfs dragon during Disneyland show, California video shows

Flames erupted around an animatronic dragon prop during the popular Fantasmic! water show at Disneyland, a California video shows.

“It was a big giant fireball. Then they began pushing people out,” Ryan Laux, 28, told the Los Angeles Times about the incident Saturday, April 22.

A video posted to Twitter shows fire engulfing the 45-foot-tall dragon’s head and body at the show.

No injuries were reported, the Anaheim Fire Department told KABC.

“During the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland park on Saturday evening, the dragon caught fire,” Disneyland told KTLA in a statement. “Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded and the fire was extinguished. All cast members were evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island. Due to smoke and wind, attractions near the island were safely cleared of any guests, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time.”

The dragon appears during the climax of the popular outdoor show, which takes place on and around Tom Sawyer’s Island in the Frontierland area of the theme park.

Mickey Mouse battles the wicked sorceress Maleficent as she transforms into a fire-breathing dragon during the spectacular, which includes water and fire effects.

Hundreds of fans who fill the area around Rivers of America to watch the twice-nightly show saw the dragon catch fire.

“It happened out of nowhere,” Melissa Giles, 30, told the Los Angeles Times. “We thought it was part of the show. Within seconds it went up in flames.”

Laux told the publication that Disneyland workers doused the flames with a water feature used in the show and the nearly 1,000 spectators were asked to leave the area.

Disneyland did not provide an estimate of the damage or time for repairs.

This story was originally published April 23, 2023 at 9:12 AM with the headline "‘Big giant fireball’ engulfs dragon during Disneyland show, California video shows."