Magic Mountain Fire Caused by Welders Working on Colossus

A fire on the highest point of the recently closed Colossus wooden roller coaster at Magic Mountain was caused by welders working at the site, it was reported today.

The blaze was reported about 1:30 p.m. Monday, and within about a half- hour, an upper section of the roller coaster had fallen away.

Crews, who poured water on the flames from fire trucks on the ground, doused the blaze by 2 p.m. No injuries were reported, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Scott Miller.

The Valencia amusement park is closed today, and officials at Six Flags Magic Mountain confirmed via Twitter that “contractors were working on disassembly” of the ride at the time the fire broke out.

Colossus, which opened to great fanfare in 1978, was closed Aug. 17 and will be replaced with an attraction called “Twisted Colossus.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials told the Los Angeles Times the fire was a result of welders working on the ride.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file graphic.