23 March 2025 , 15:18
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Hundreds of people were forced to evacuate Walt Disney World after a fire broke out.
Thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky over the Epcot theme park in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday afternoon.
The fire, located in the park’s French Pavilion area, reportedly started in a walk-in cooler in the backstage area.
Visitors taking part in Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, a ‘4D ride experience’, were forced to evacuate.
It’s currently spring break in the US, one of the busiest weeks of the year for the theme park, and after Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was evacuated hundreds more visitors in the surrounding area also had to leave.
The fire did not spread to guest areas but its cause is still under investigation, authorities said.
Hundreds of visitors were forced to evacuate (Picture: X/@ryanwmsn)
Disney say the fire was extinguished by around 7:20pm by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District fire department.
Part of the area was cordoned off while firefighters brought the blaze under control, but normal operations resumed that evening, MailOnline reports.
Epcot’s France Pavilion has grown more popular in recent years thanks to the addition of the Ratatouille themed ride and new restaurants.
It even features a much smaller replica of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
The theme park, one of four major parks at the Walt Disney World Resort, can see more than 100,000 visitors during weekends and especially during spring break.
Head of Investigations