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Train fire at Busch Gardens was accidental

Officials responded to the train ride at Busch Gardens for a fire. One staff member suffered minor injuries.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WVEC) — James City County Firefighters responded to Busch Gardens for a fire Thursday afternoon.

A fire was reported on the Busch Gardens Railway that goes around the park. Crews from James City and York countries and the City of Williamsburg are on the scene, and the fire is under control.

One staff member suffered minor injuries.

Busch Gardens released the following statement:

A train that was not in service caught fire today, Aug. 16, behind-the-scenes in the New France area of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. James City County Fire Rescue responded immediately and the fire has been contained. There were no guests or animals involved and all surrounding areas have been evacuated. One Busch Gardens ambassador sustained minor injuries and was taken for medical treatment as a precaution. The safety of our guests, ambassadors and animals remains our top priority.

According to the James City County Fire Marshal, the train fire occurred in the tender car where the propane system that supplies fuel to the boiler in the locomotive is located. The fire was ruled accidental. The propane tank was leaking and was ignited by either the pilot light for the boiler burner or by a battery charging system which is supplied with electricity from a shore power connection.

The cause of the leak has not been determined. The tender and cab of the train were damaged.

There are three steam-powered locomotives at Busch Gardens that take guests through 134-acres of the amusement park. There is no word when the train will start operating again.

This is the second fire at Busch Gardens in less than a month.

On July 21st, there was a small fire on the roof of Escape from Pompeii. According to the fire marshal, the fire at the Escape from Pompeii ride was determined to be caused when combustible components of the roof system were exposed to heat from one of the flame effects in the ride, causing a smoldering fire.

James County County's Building Safety and Permits director Tom Coghill said they conduct two inspections at a year at the amusement park.

According to Coghill, this week they were in the middle of their mid-season amusement device inspection for all the rides, including trains. There are three trains at Busch. Coghill said his inspector checked at least one of the trains but didn't get a chance to get to the other train before it caught on fire.

Coghill said they're still in the middle of their mid-season inspection.

According to last year’s mid-season inspection at Busch Gardens, every ride, including the trains were approved and good to go.

Coghill said that was the same for this year’s pre-season inspections.

Busch Gardens - ADI 2017 Mid Season Inspections by 13News Now on Scribd

Busch Gardens officials released another statement Friday afternoon:

“Safety is part of our culture at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and we take that seriously. The safety of our guests, ambassadors and animals remains our top priority. The park conducts daily inspections and maintenance checks with a team of experienced internal experts. As required by law, independent state-licensed inspectors conduct periodic safety reviews. In addition, the park has a third party engineering company that conducts annual inspections on all our rides and attractions.”

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