The legendary Colossus roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain caught fire Monday afternoon. Video of the fire shows the top section collapsing after being completely engulfed in flames.
“A welder caught Colossus on fire,” said an official at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “Spectators are blocking roads watching the fire.”
“The fire at the top of the lift hill at Colossus is now out,” said Sue Carpenter, spokeswoman for Six Flags Magic Mountain. “It was started while work was being done to disassemble the ride. The park was closed today and there were no injuries. Colossus has been closed since August 17 for renovation.”
“It’s a 1,000-square-foot fire on Colossus,” said Steven Guerro, a student worker with the Fire Department. “There are no reported injuries. Stations 156, 126 and 124 are responding.”
The fire was declared “knocked down” at 2:07 p.m.
“Magic Mountain is closed for the day. The park was completely closed,” said Scott Miller, a Los Angeles County Fire Department inspector. “We’re meeting with Six Flags Magic Mountain officials. There are no injuries from our personnel.”
Hazmat, Urban Search and Rescue, two paramedics, a ladder truck and two engines were on scene, officials said.
“They’ve been working on (Colossus) since August. The cause of the fire is undetermined,” said Fire Department spokeswoman Stephanie English. “The structure is compromised and we are making sure no falling pieces put anyone is jeopardy.”
Magic Mountain officials and Fire Department officials were working together to “make it safe,” she said.
Fire Department personnel said they were concerned the “remaining structure” would collapse.
Opened in 1978, Colossus closed Aug. 16. Six flags recently announced plans to relaunch it as “Twisted Colossus,” with steel track replacing the original wooden track.
The view from Magic Mountain Parkway and Wayne Mills Place in Valencia. Image: Stephen K. Peeples
The view from Feedmill Road. Image: Dave Caldwell
Video shows the top center section as it collapses. Image: Leon Worden
The view after the collapse of the top center section. Image: Leon Worden
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56 Comments
oh nooooo!
Brett Humanic
Thats wht you get for welding on a WOODEN rollercoaster
Mshel C. Villspr
Mike, Lorin, Rawleigh, Dee & Dan
Is there any way that the rest of the place could be burned down and then turned into a nice park ? The whole thing is an ugly eyesore and a magnet for gangs.
Nooooooooo!!!!!!
:(
I think I see a Disney employee standing at the base of the lift with a lighter in his hand.
Haha! Ok that’s the funniest response I’ve seen! Kudos!
That’s a little too close for comfort! No little sparkies flying your way I hope…
Samuel Siete Lopez
Raul
On no!
That’s one way to take it down ;)
Marty Siebe
Insurance should kick in….right… It was “only an accident” right…
How sad
Ethan Waldorf that was an incredibly stupid comment, how do you think the track is held together…
Jenny Herrera
Jessica Shelton we was just there :/
They are tearing it down I think
Prayers
Jacqui Schinnerer
Wow.
That welder is guarantee fired
Hey Brett I think it was a joke .
Jody Schiller Zachary FYI…saw the smoke from my office building today :-(
Oh my gosh! That’s terrible! :-(
Oh my gosh! That’s terrible! :-(
Someone’s fired.
Someone’s fired.
Crysta Bella
Crysta Bella
Andrew Brown
Andrew Brown
Is that your professional opinion Brett Humanic? It was meant as a joke…
Is that your professional opinion Brett Humanic? It was meant as a joke…
Wow!
Wow!
I read that they were planning to re do the ride anyway. Seems funny it burns down now of all times. That insurance money will be helpful with the rebuild they were planning. ;) lol
I read that they were planning to re do the ride anyway. Seems funny it burns down now of all times. That insurance money will be helpful with the rebuild they were planning. ;) lol
Bradley J. Hanebrink
So sad
Oh no!!
Glad people are ok. It was fun while it lasted!
Wow it’s sad to see it like this we live a few blocks from it and we would see it every morning when we get on the 5 South wow so sad to see this picture!!
Angelica Velasco did you do this lol… It says a welder caught it on fire
Just one more thing from my childhood gone :(
I didn’t do it. I create, not destroy
( insert you favorite evil laugh )
You were takin this ride down anyways, don’t trip.
They were going to tear it down anyway. Now they don’t have to pay as much for demo. costs.
They were going to tear it down anyway. Now they don’t have to pay as much for demo. costs.
My husband and I both worked at magic mountain at some time during our adolescence – got to take our daughter there (13 yrs old) last month to see colossus, where we grew up, etc ;) It was very cool and just feel blessed that she got to see and ride!! ( and was my first time back sine I left the neighborhood in ’87!!) Timing is everything ;)
It’s an insurance deal!!!!!!!!!! they were tearing it down . So hmmmmmmmm . … ???????
I thought they closed a couple weeks ago and planning to tear down. He was probably working in the demo.