Say it isn't so.....

[Elkyn]

I've just heard a terrible rumor that the Scarborough Faire grounds are on fire- and reports are it's not looking good. Can anyone confirm!!!

[captmarga]

Yes, it is so.  People who live down the street have seen the flames.  Everyone, please do not panic and fan the rumor-mill flames.  No one knows how bad it is.  It has apparently gone to six-alarm, there is probably building involvement.  I say probably, I do not know for sure, but the location of the flames make it probable.

Those in the know will post facts when they are hard and fast.  Radio and TV do have tiny blurbs about it, but no details are posted. 

For now, everyone pray to your lords, gods and minor deities of choice!

Marga/Jofranka

[Elkyn]

Well, thanks for the info. I do hope that the damage isn't bad.

[dbaldock]

A short, 34 second video has been posted on YouTube by the TexasStormChasers -

8/22/2011 - Scarborough Renaissance Festival Fire - Waxahachie, TX

There is a certain amount of information in the description below the video.

[Lady Rebecca]

Here's a link to an article about it. It doesn't sound good.
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Fire-at-renaissance-festival-one-dead-128229888.html

[AngelVII]

It's been confirmed that one male worker died, and 7 buildings were totally destroyed... I've been up all night talking  to a friend who works at Screams, on facebook, and listening to the police scanners for Ellis county... after awhile though they took everything off the main frequency to keep them open for other needs.

But WFAA posted this awhile ago-
http://www.wfaa.com/news/Fire-at-renaissance-festival-one-dead-128229888.html


I am so so so sorry to the family, and to everyone. This is a sad day.

The mans identity hasn't been released yet for obvious reasons...
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

I'm sure by the morning news at 5am, lots of channels will have picked up the story and we'll all have more info.

[Merlin the Elder]

This is terrible. The buildings can be replaced, but the man cannot. My energies are being sent to his family. I will be monitoring this at work today... please keep us posted, or linked to more information.

[AngelVII]

It's on channel 8.1 wfaa news right now, the story will be playing off and on all morning I'm sure...

[AngelVII]

News on channel 11 when they come back from commercial...

[AngelVII]

The cause is still under investigation, they think it started in the apartment of one of the grounds keepers.
His identity still has not been released.


It took 40 firefighters over 4 hours to put out.

1 firefighter was injured and taken to Baylor, but he should be fine...

[DonaCatalina]

Oh no. This is awful. I dread finding out who was killed.

[AngelVII]

They wont release his identity until his family has been properly notified, obviously... But I'm right there with you. They did say it was someone that lived on premisis though. It's all over channels 4, 5, 8, and 11 news right now though, so I'm sure you can see more info as it becomes available this morning.

[Merlin the Elder]

Thanks for the info, Angel. Do any of those stations run live feed online? I'm in central Arkansas, but Scarby is our home faire, and we are very attached to the people and the faire, whether we personally know them or not. Some way to monitor the situation would be most appreciated.

[Hercules]

About 7am the news reporter on site said the owners were calling FDs back-out again as some hot-spots were flaring up.

This drought and blazing heat couldn't have helped. 

[Aaroncois]

That's so terrible. My sincere condolences to the whole Scarby family for your loss.