It was supposed to be a normal summer night in the Wizarding World—wands waving, Butterbeer flowing, and Hogwarts towering overhead. But guests lining up for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey quickly realized something was off when the sky lit up for all the wrong reasons.
At first, it seemed like another rumble of thunder rolling through the Florida heat. But then came the flash. A fire ignited near the ride, sending guests into a frenzy and forcing a swift evacuation in one of Universal’s busiest themed areas.
The Fire That Interrupted the Magic
Just after 7:30 p.m., a tree near the entrance of Forbidden Journey suddenly burst into flames. According to onlookers and social media clips, the blaze appeared to start after a lightning strike—common during the stormy summer season in Central Florida.
@d0mesticdoobie I just got in line when I saw the lightning hit and the loudest boom, about 60 seconds later the fire alarm comes on and we all have to evacuate!! To use this video in a commercial player or in broadcasts, please contact licensing@storyful.com. #universalstudios #universalorlando #islandsofadventure #harrypotter #fire #lightning ♬ Jet2 Advert – ✈️A7-BBH | MAN 🇬🇧
As flames climbed up the tree’s trunk and smoke filled the air, crowds quickly cleared out. Guests stood stunned, many capturing the moment on their phones. Emergency teams moved fast to get the fire under control, and luckily, it didn’t take long. Within about 30 minutes, the Orlando Fire Department had the situation handled and the area cleared.
Why It Mattered So Much
No one was hurt, but it wasn’t just a minor scare. The fire took place right near one of Universal’s most high-traffic attractions, inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The ride was paused, and guests in the vicinity were evacuated as a safety precaution.
It wasn’t just isolated to this incident either. In recent months, Universal and other theme parks in the area have dealt with a series of unrelated fires. From buses catching fire at the Universal depot to a backstage popcorn stand incident at EPCOT, these events are starting to make some guests wonder just how storm-ready the parks really are.
The Season of Storms and Sparks
Summers in Orlando are unpredictable. One minute you’re baking in the sun, and the next you’re caught in a lightning-filled downpour. That kind of instability means parks need to be prepared for all kinds of surprises—including literal firestorms caused by weather.
This tree fire may not have caused long-term damage, but it’s a strong reminder that outdoor attractions—especially those with queues lined by trees and foliage—can be vulnerable during peak storm hours.
Back to Business—For Now
As of now, everything’s back to normal. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is operating again, and there’s no reported damage to the ride or the surrounding area. But for guests visiting in July and August, this serves as a clear warning: stay alert, follow directions, and don’t underestimate Florida weather—even at a world-class theme park.
