Brush fire causes panic at California theme park
A fast-moving brush fire caused a panicked evacuation of a California theme park.
The fire took hold around midday Sunday close to the Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor theme parks which led to the parks’ closure.
Park management said the fire posed no threat to guests or park infrastructure but it decided to close due to worsening air quality.
The safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members is our top priority," the parks’ management said.
Los Angeles County fire officials said nine people were taken to hospital for evaluation.
Once the park announced the evacuation it caused panic and confusion as fire officials had just closed access roads, and guests were unable to get to their vehicles and leave.
"There was a big cloud of smoke. I saw people around me panicking; they didn’t know where they were supposed to go," said park guest Rachel Gallat.
Visitors were forced to wait inside the parks until roads were reopened about an hour later.
A Los Angeles County Fire helicopter buzzed overhead dropping water on the fire as guests were herded to the back of the park away from the blaze.
Late Sunday the fire department said the fire was under control, and Six Flags tweeted it hopes to reopen on Monday.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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