FeaturedOutside the Disney Bubble

Fire Engulfs Six Flags Roller Coaster as Officials Insist “It Is Not a Threat”

An abandoned Six Flags roller coaster caught fire over the weekend during demolition efforts at the site of the former Six Flags New Orleans amusement park.

The incident occurred as workers dismantled Mega Zeph, a wooden roller coaster that operated briefly before Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in 2005. Sparks from the demolition sparked a blaze that consumed a 15-foot section of the roller coaster, sending flames 70 feet into the air.

Shot of roller coaster tracks fire at former Six Flags site in New Orleans East. 📷: @WWLTV photographer Sam Lowe

While residents and motorists reported seeing the fire, the local fire department confirmed that the blaze posed no risk to public safety.

The Tragic History of Six Flags New Orleans

Six Flags New Orleans, which originally opened as Jazzland in 2000, was acquired by Six Flags in 2002. The park was shut down following Hurricane Katrina, which left it submerged under six feet of water for over a month.

The park’s rides and attractions, including iconic ones like SpongeBob SquarePants The Ride and Batman: The Ride, were heavily damaged – if not totally destroyed – during the storm and were subsequently abandoned, becoming an eerie site for urban explorers. Six Flags New Orleans also became a backdrop for several films, such as Jurassic World (2015) and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013).

A deserted street lined with ornate, historic buildings shows signs of wear and disrepair, reminiscent of a demolished attraction. Debris is scattered on the ground, and the area is devoid of people. The setting sun casts a warm glow, highlighting the building details.
Credit: Erik Jorgensen, Flickr

In October 2024, Smoot Construction teamed up with Bayou Phoenix to begin the demolition of the park. The project is part of a larger redevelopment plan that will transform the area into a hub for youth sports, a water park, two hotels, and a film studio.

Despite the ongoing demolition, it seems like the fire on the Mega Zeph did not cause significant damage to the surrounding area. According to Troy Henry, the leader of the redevelopment project, the fire may have burned unnoticed for some time before it was spotted at night (via Nola.com).

The abandoned Six Flags amusement park features graffiti-covered buildings, palm trees, and a visible roller coaster in the background. The scene is deserted, with structures appearing weathered and neglected, evoking memories of the once-thriving theme park now left to time.
Credit: Erik Jorgensen, Flickr

Although Six Flags New Orleans had only operated for a few years before being shut down, its legacy lives on in the memories of those who visited and in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the area. As demolition continues and new plans for the site take shape, it marks the end of an era for the once-popular park.

Did you ever visit Six Flags New Orleans?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Back to top button