Epcot explosion?

[sorcerermick]

I can't seem to find any other information yet....but I read at another site this morning that the barge in the World showcase lagoon exploded this morning..initial reports are nobody hurt since the barge is out in the middle of the lagoon but that it weighed 150,000 lbs and contained 37 propane nozzles. Anybody else find any info?

 

[peter11435]

Nothing really happend, it was intentional and they do it everyday. Many web sites are blowing it way out of proportion. Every night at 10:30 they blow of the extra propane and it causes what looks like a huge explosion. For what ever reason they were un able to do it at night and had to do it in the morning, however I repeat it is nothing bad, and is completly normal. Use this link to see a video of the blow off on a normal night. Thanks to the WDW project tracker for the video. http://www.mousetimes.com/gallery/albums/movies/wdw_videos/epcot_fire_barge_explosion.wmv

 

[SandrA9810]

That's pretty cool... how easy is it to stick around to see it happen?? Since most people migrate to the front to exit.

 

[DoxaRich]

That's a cool video. I've heard the explosion at nite but never stuck around to watch it. Maybe this Oct we'll linger a little longer.

 

[sorcerermick]

Wow ...thanks for the info!

 

[peter11435]

That's pretty cool... how easy is it to stick around to see it happen?? Since most people migrate to the front to exit.

On most nights they will have pushed everyone towards the park exit and Future World by the time the blow off happens. However every Thursday night Epcot is open until 12:00 for EMH yet the blow off still takes place at 10:30 and is visible to any guest in World Showcase.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

They have been having problems this past week with the Flame Barge, in fact last nights (09/19) presentation of IllumiNations did not include the flame barge, in fact it wasn't even in the middle of the lake. We assumed it was in the dry dock area.
The show does "play" quite well without the flame barge, the fireworks are well timed with the music and there is only one slight moment when it seems like something is missing.

 

[safetymom]

Glad to hear it wasn't anything serious. I know that they blow off the propane nightly. It may play well without it but it sure adds something to the story.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Well all, this was not a typical blow-off, this was an accidental explosion that happened on Sunday and it has damaged the Flame Barge. The barge will not be part of the show until further notice. As far as I know there were no injuries, but the barge was badly damaged and they are not sure if it could be repaired.
I will post any additional information if/when I find out more.

 

[erikthewise]

Mike has the real story, people. Some solid news is available on another similar site. I won't attempt to post a link as they are usually blocked, but it has "magic" in its name.

 

[Kitty-chan]

Mike has the real story, people. Some solid news is available on another similar site. I won't attempt to post a link as they are usually blocked, but it has "magic" in its name.

I wasn't sure what you meant at first, but I think the story you're referring to is currently the second link from this Google News search on "Epcot".

 

[safetymom]

It's funny that it hasn't been reported on the TV or in the newspaper here in Orlando.

 

[raidermatt]

If nobody was injured, nobody was nearby, and there was no property damage (other than to the barge), I wouldn't expect any of the news organizations to really care.

Not that its not an issue, just that the media isn't going to care.

 

[safetymom]

Here in Orlando when someone sneezes at Disney it is reported.

 

[safetymom]

They finally mentioned it on the news here in Orlando this morning.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Well all, this was not a typical blow-off, this was an accidental explosion that happened on Sunday and it has damaged the Flame Barge. The barge will not be part of the show until further notice. As far as I know there were no injuries, but the barge was badly damaged and they are not sure if it could be repaired.
I will post any additional information if/when I find out more.

We saw Illuminations Sunday night and we were wondering why the flame barge was missing, now I know why, thanks.

 

[kathyseb]

We were there Sept 4-17 and there was one night the start of the fireworks was postponed due to difficulties. When it finally started, there was no flame barge.
Also I think two if not three times during that two week stay, the first shooting firework that starts the program did not go off.

 

[peter11435]

We were there Sept 4-17 and there was one night the start of the fireworks was postponed due to difficulties. When it finally started, there was no flame barge.
Also I think two if not three times during that two week stay, the first shooting firework that starts the program did not go off.

The first shooting firework is often cut due to moderate to high winds. This was most likely why it was cut as they also cut Tinks flight many nights in that time frame.

 

[April76]

I was leaving MGM at approx 4:15 pm and there was a very loud explosion; I heard later that the barge had been accidentally blown up at Epcot at that about that time. It was extremely loud and a single boom (not anything from Indy stunt show, etc.).

 

[Kala]

Any further updates on the propane barge? It's one of our favorite parts of Illuminations and we were hoping that it would be back in service by the time we return next month. We happened to be there when the incident occurred, and were at the show 9/19 and noticed it wasn't there. My husband was actually the one who noticed it missing as he really likes the effects it gives.

Thanks for any updates