Goliath at Six Flags Great America On Fire!

[Oscar]

A minor fire was reported Friday afternoon near the new Goliath wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Illinois, the amusement park confirmed.

The fire was spotted at the park, at 1 Great America Pkwy, at about 1:30 p.m. Chopper video of the scene showed several roof shingles scorched on a building behind the coaster and firefighters surveying the area.

"Earlier today there was a small fire on the roof of the Goliath station," Six Flags Great America spokeswoman Katy Enrique said in a statement. "Park personnel quickly contained and extinguished the fire and Gurnee Fire department then responded to investigate."

Enrique said the roof sustained minimal damage and there were no injuries. It will not affect the opening or future operation of the ride, she said.

The Gurnee Fire Department declined to comment.

Goliath is being billed as the world's fastest wooden roller coaster. It was scheduled to open at the start of the park's summer season but was put on hold. A media day to preview the ride was rescheduled for June 18.

Once open, it will have the tallest and steepest drop, plunging riders down 180 feet at a near-vertical 85 degrees. It will reach speeds of 72 mph.

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Fi ... z33ynK3hnU

[Coasterkidmwm]

I'm guessing it was a welding mishap.