You’ve probably seen the tags on heating pads that warns against leaving them on while you sleep or unattended. I never realized just how much damage a heating pad could cause.
Florida State Fire Marshal Detective Bill Newman ruled the fire at Gatorland to be accidental today. Newman reported that Monday’s fire was caused by a heating pad in the snake exhibit. The size of the fire was blamed on the wooden structure of the building and the clothes and other potential fuel contained in the park’s gift shop.
Gatorland’s president, Mark McHugh, estimated the damage at $2 million to $3 million. Even though the main entrance to the park was destroyed in the fire, McHugh vows that the park will reopen on November 22nd.
Heating pad sparked Gatorland fire; damage up to $3 million
Jan says:
That is bizarre. But they will have to keep the cold blooded reptiles warm some way. Did the pad malfunction?
11/8/2006, 11:45 pmLaura says:
I guess so. The news report didn’t say.