(OPINION) An intense fire broke out at Disneyland in Anaheim on Saturday night as packed crowds were enjoying a show at the theme park. The fire ignited on Tom Sawyer Island during the Fantasmic! nighttime water and fireworks show held on the Rivers of America.
According to KTLA, Citizen video captured by parkgoers shows massive flames fully engulfing Maleficent’s dragon prop on stage. The flames first ignited from the dragon’s face before spreading to the rest of its body.
Heavy plumes of dark smoke were seen billowing from the stage and were visible throughout the park. The video showed cast members evacuating packed crowds from the waterfront viewing area and nearby attractions as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. Bystanders outside Disneyland Resort captured a line of firetrucks rushing to the Anaheim theme park.
“During the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland Park on Saturday evening, the dragon caught fire. Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded and the fire was extinguished,” Disneyland said in a statement to KTLA. “All cast members were evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island. Due to smoke and wind, attractions near the island were safely cleared of any guests.”
Disneyland also told KTLA in a statement that they will be “temporarily suspending fire effects similar to those used at Disneyland park’s Fantasmic at select shows and entertainment experiences globally” as a precautionary measure following the Fantasmic prop fire.
Consequently, The fire came only days after the California park’s announcement that is planning to launch its first-ever ‘Pride Nite’ where Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be dressed in rainbow costumes.
The $119-a-ticket party was announced on Twitter Monday afternoon, just moments after a press conference in which DeSantis threatened to build a state prison next to Walt Disney World and Reedy Creek. It’s also interesting to note that the dragon is referenced in the Bible and is a picture of satan!
Revelation 12:9: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
In this passage from the book of Revelation, Satan is referred to as a “great dragon” and also as “that old serpent,” linking him to the serpent in the Garden of Eden who deceived Adam and Eve.
Revelation 20:2: “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.” This verse from the book of Revelation again associates Satan with a dragon, as well as with the old serpent and the Devil, and describes him being bound for a thousand years.
Isaiah 27:1: “In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.” While not directly referencing Satan, this verse from the book of Isaiah uses the imagery of a dragon to describe a malevolent creature that will be defeated by the Lord with a sword.
