News Summary
A fire broke out during the demolition of the long-abandoned Six Flags New Orleans amusement park, igniting dismantled roller coaster tracks. The incident occurred 70 feet in the air due to sparks from demolition. Thankfully, it posed no public safety risks as the flames were out of firefighters’ reach. Demolition crews are now developing a plan to safely handle the burning section. The site is part of a larger redevelopment effort aimed at transforming the area into a recreational hub, meanwhile facing delays due to previous contractor issues.
New Orleans – A fire broke out during the demolition of the long-abandoned Six Flags New Orleans amusement park on January 18, 2025, igniting a section of dismantled roller coaster tracks that were being taken down by crews. The incident occurred at approximately 70 feet in the air and was caused by sparks from demolition activities, which ignited wooden materials left in the structure.
According to the project leader, the fire likely remained unnoticed until it became visible after sunset. Fortunately, the area posed no risk to public safety, as the flames were out of reach for firefighters. Dismantling teams are now implementing a plan to cut the burning section of the roller coaster track and submerge it in a nearby man-made lake, preventing any further safety hazards.
The amusement park, originally opened as Jazzland in 2000, was purchased by Six Flags in 2002 after the previous owner declared bankruptcy. After substantial renovations worth $20 million, the park reopened in 2003. However, Hurricane Katrina devastated the facility in 2005, causing around 80% of its structures and attractions to be heavily damaged, which ultimately led to its closure.
Efforts to repurpose the site began with the development project known as Bayou Phoenix, which aims to transform the area into a family-friendly recreational and entertainment hub. The project’s plans were approved in 2021, and it is expected to cost around $1 billion. This redevelopment will include features such as youth sports complexes and a water park.
Demolition crews are currently halfway through the process of dismantling the amusement park, which comprises over 90 buildings and rides. Following the fire incident, the demolition work had already faced delays due to licensing issues with the contractor, Smoot Construction, which halted activities in November 2024.
The iconic Mega Zeph roller coaster, which debuted on May 20, 2000, was a major attraction at the park until its closure. Various parts of the defunct park have been salvaged and redistributed to other amusement parks across the United States. Additionally, the abandoned site has served as a backdrop for several films, including “Jurassic World” and “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.”
As part of the revitalization efforts, Bayou Phoenix is organizing a public event on January 28, 2025, to celebrate the progress in demolishing significant structures at the former amusement park site. The aim is to foster community engagement while highlighting the ongoing redevelopment of the area.
Overall, while the fire presented a brief setback, stakeholders remain focused on moving ahead with plans to reuse the land for the benefit of the local community.
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Additional Resources
- 107 Jamz: Six Flags New Orleans
- Wikipedia: Six Flags New Orleans
- NOLA: Six Flags Fire New Orleans
- Google Search: Six Flags New Orleans
- KSDK: Six Flags St. Louis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Six Flags
