Whalom Park fire

The  was a flash fire that erupted on the wooden roller coaster Asteroid: Flyer Comet II at Whalom Park in 2006. There were no casualties.

The fire
On July 4, 2006, Asteroid: Flyer Comet II was operating normally during Whalom Park's 4th of July celebration. As the ninth ride of the day was in progress, a small fire started in the starting lift hill. As the cars, filled with several guests, was returning to the station, a operator spotted the fire and shut down the ride. A castmember ran up the emergency stairs with a small fire extinguisher and attempted to extinguish the flames, but suddenly the fire erupted violently, engulfing the lift hill, and he was forced to retreat as guests in the station and the castmembers & operators also began to flee. The fire grew and spread quickly and intensively as various park guests, castmembers, and ride operators ran away from the heat, smoke and the collapsing wood. In less than a minute, the lift hill, station, and first drop were engulfed in flames. The Lunenburg Fire Department along with Fitchburg Fire Department Engine Co. 1 and Lancaster Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, and had the fire out within three minutes.

Aftermath
Although no one died as a result of the fire (which was ultimately attributed to a short circuit in the lift hill mechanism), many were treated for minor smoke inhalation, and four individuals were seriously injured by smoke inhalation and burns. Among the four persons was the mascot performer Helena Doyle Smith (out of suit at the time), who rescued a guest who was unable to get out of the cars. All eventually recovered from their injuries.

Although much of the ride was still standing, Asteroid: Flyer Comet II was closed and heavily rebuilt following the accident. Carwardine Parks founder & then-CEO Christopher R. Carwardine visited the fire victims and their families at Clinton Hospital in Leominster and in Ayer frequently.