Video showed a blaze under the Raptor roller coaster at Gardaland near Verona at about 2:00 p.m. local time. The fire quickly spread and consumed a wooden structure beneath the ride, but park emergency teams and firefighters extinguished it after roughly an hour. There were no reported injuries and the park remained open; Entertainment Weekly has sought comment from Gardaland and owner Merlin. The incident follows a separate coaster emergency last week at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the U.K.
Fire Erupts Under Raptor Roller Coaster Tracks at Gardaland — Wooden Structure Engulfed, No Injuries
Raptor roller coaster at GardalandCredit: Gardaland/YouTube
Video circulating online showed a significant blaze burning beneath the tracks of the Raptor roller coaster at Gardaland, Italy's largest and most-visited theme park near Verona.
Local reports say the fire began in a western section of the park at about 2:00 p.m. local time and "quickly spread," ultimately engulfing a wooden structure beneath the coaster. Park emergency teams were first on scene, and municipal firefighters later arrived and extinguished the blaze after roughly an hour, according to local newspaper Il Mattino.
No injuries were reported, and the park remained open during and after the incident, the reports said. Entertainment Weekly has contacted Gardaland and its parent company, Merlin, for comment.
Gardaland's Raptor roller coaster in ItalyCredit: Gardaland/YouTube
About the Ride
Raptor opened in 2011 as the world's first "wing coaster," built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard. The ride climbs to about 108 feet, reaches speeds near 56 mph, and features three inversions. Gardaland itself opened in July 1975 and currently operates seven roller coasters.
Context
The fire occurred nearly one week after a separate roller coaster emergency at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the U.K., where footage appeared to show the historic Big Dipper coaster (first opened in 1923) suffering track damage mid-ride. Video of the Raptor fire circulated online shortly after the incident, prompting local and international coverage.
Sources: Il Mattino, Entertainment Weekly, local footage shared online.
If new details emerge, Gardaland and local authorities are expected to provide updates on the cause and any follow-up inspections or repairs.
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