Story Archive

What a Mickey Mouse Operation

Four cars were destroyed and at least four others damaged by an out-of-control fire at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Fla. — in the “Mulan” section of the parking lot. Firefighters couldn’t douse the rapidly spreading fire because they ran out of water, since the Magic Kingdom had removed the fire hydrants from the area during a construction project. Crews scrambled to find a water source on the property, but never did; they finally got water from a tanker that arrived after half an hour. The Reedy Creek Fire Department says Disney never told them about the removal, let alone where they might find water for any fires. Disney admitted they removed the hydrants three years ago during demolition of the Richard Petty Driving Experience. The fire marshal says he won’t cite the company because it included the hydrant removal in its demolition permit at the time, and hydrants aren’t required in parking lots. (RC/WFTV Orlando) ...Now that the Driving Experience is gone, there’s room for a new attraction: Goofy’s Fire Brigade.