Fire at the fest!

[Hatter]

I heard this morning that there is/was a fire in the food booth area of the Narrows.  Does anyone know more?
I didn't even know that Peterson was getting divorced. lol.

[escherblacksmith]

Kare 11 Coverage

crazy, no more chicken shack, I wonder what was nearby.

[LadyFae]

Fox 9 has been covering the story pretty well this morning. Scotch Eggs, Cheese Curds, Rouges Chicken and three other booths in that area are either completely destroyed or heavily damaged. Fire is out, gates will open today at 10 and the Narrows to Witchwood are closed today (for cleanup, I'm sure) but should be open as normal tomorrow.

[DonaCatalina]

I am sorry to hear about this. It seems to be the year for it, sadly enough.

[saphire_glade]

wow... it couldn't have waited one more week? I know there will be a lot of people missing their scotch eggs. Especially since I heard random rumor that it was their last year.

[Merlin the Elder]

Good Grief! What next?!?  No injuries, I trust?

[auntiegiggles]

No injuries.  Thank goodness!

[drow]

alas, the scotch eggs!

[LadyJessica]

Glad to hear that everyone is ok.  Here's hoping for a speedy rebuild for your faire.

[Storm]

Cheese curds was alive and well today!....Everything between them and the jewelry booth on the top of the hill was closed down....

[winterland]

Yes it was strange seeing the burned booths. Sorry to see that had happen.   

[majikah]

Random dragon attack.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

A few photos I took on Sunday. There was the fence that prevented patrons from going too close to where the fire took place, along with enough large holes to get better shots.. Sure will be different next season.



Charred remains...Reports stated possible propane tank caused the blaze.

[William_MacKean]

Propane tank was out back.  Its safety valve popped from the heat, but I don't think it caused any of the blaze.  Maybe a pilot light or grease spillage.  We will know more soon.

[groomporter]

Considering how high the winds were on Thursday... Very few booths are very air tight. It would not be surprising if the wind blew out a pilot light and someone turning on an electrical switch caused a spark... or leaves, napkins, or paper plates got blown near a pilot light, or the wind frayed an old electrical line that was already worn...

[MissBubu]

It was not a propane tank. If a tank had exploded, there would have been a crater and that entire section of fest would still be smoldering.

Considering how much maintenance needs to be done out there, it's surprising the whole place hasn't gone up in flames yet.

[William_MacKean]

While SS and I were running about clearing buildings and marshalling the fire trucks, I remarked how glad I was that it did not rain the night before.  Fest might not have let the trucks on site!  She knew I was telling a de-stress joke.

[Tarac]

  There are times when some should not make comment or statements about things that happen and trying to make lite of a bad situation is one of them.

[Sitara]

Tarac, you've got to remember that we are festies and humor is how we deal with pain. There were many jokes flying around while the fire was still burning even though we were all concerned. Humor is a great coping mechanism...I'd rather laugh than cry.

[Tarac]

  Sitara I know that and I agree that sometimes pain is made better by laughter, But what I was talking about was not the joke.

[Kiss-me-Kate]

I learned of the fire while picking up ice at Holiday in St. Boni.   The little old lady clerk told me, and I checked my phone after.   I had a few texts, but was so freaked out, I couldn't make my phone work.  (I was shaking)  The news had no details either.  That was one of the longest twenty minute car rides of my life.

I was really concerned for my Uncle's safety specifically, and fellow festies secondly.   It was not a laughing matter, at the time.   Had I been on grounds, I would have been first to throw everything unecessary off, and help.     
After being let on grounds, I got to relax and giggle about a few of the fire jokes.

I for one am soo thankful that no one was seriously injured or killed, AND my happy place was not destroyed.

It is sad that after all of the bickering and whining people did this year  (contracts and such) , that it took a fire to bring them together.

[Rani Zemirah]

I'm so thankful that no one was injured, or worse, and that the damage was contained to what seems to have been a relatively small area of your Faire.  I know how devastated the owners must be, though, and I hope they all have some sort of structure insurance!!! 

Here's hoping that they will be able to build back better than ever for next season!!!