Off The Record

Crowds Into Frenzy At Disney’s Epcot Park In Florida After A Fire

Published on March 23, 2025

On Saturday afternoon, a fire broke out at Disney’s Epcot theme park in Orlando, Florida, sending terrified spectators running.

At the park’s French Pavilion, thick black smoke billowed into the sky behind the famous Eiffel Tower, blotting out the Florida sun as the fire grew more intense.

According to authorities, the ‘Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure’ attraction had to be evacuated after a walk-in refrigerator in the backstage area unexpectedly caught fire.

The serene appearance of a Parisian afternoon was destroyed in a matter of minutes.

Dozens of people were seen being ejected from one of the park’s most popular attractions in a video taken from one of the cable cars. Other guests were also ordered to leave, including those who had been eating at the restaurant, watching street performers, and sampling croissants.

Unexpectedly, the cooler caught fire, starting a fire that spread throughout the park. The cause of the fire is still being looked into.

One of the busiest weeks of the year, Spring Break, coincided with the fire.

Although the fire did not extend to the visitor areas, the sheer amount of smoke and the building’s close proximity to the public raised concerns.

Disney claims that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District fire department put out the fire by approximately 7:20 p.m., but by that time, scores of guests had taken out their phones to record the bizarre scene and shared the startling video on social media.

Disney informed visitors that all safety procedures were observed and that emergency personnel arrived in a matter of minutes.

Although no one was hurt in the fire, many guests were obviously shaken by what they saw, according to the authorities.

For many, the incident clouded what should have been a relaxed family getaway.

“It’s out now, but it was a scary moment for a minute!” wrote one visitor on X.

Actors and firefighters moved quickly, with many backstage workers apparently evacuating staff from adjacent facilities used for food preparation and storage.

There has been no more explanation of how or when the fire began.

Guests later reported that the fire had been put out and that everything appeared to be under control.

The event has sparked concerns about the infrastructure of the Walt Disney World Resort and behind-the-scenes safety, especially at busy times of year when demands on employees, facilities, and utilities are at their highest.

Assuring visitors that the fire was confined, park officials have been keen to minimize the incident’s seriousness.

As things were brought under control, a portion of Epcot’s France Pavilion—which has grown even more well-known recently with the installation of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and new food options—was blocked off.

The smoke had subsided by dusk, and Disney went back to business as usual without announcing in the media that any rides had been closed or people had been evacuated.

One of the four main theme parks of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Epcot is renowned for its creative fusion of international culture and technology.