Flames Outside Cyclone After Luna Park Opening Ceremony

Flames Outside Cyclone After Luna Park Opening Ceremony
Fire fighter hosing down a brush fire next to the Cyclone. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)
Fire fighter hosing down a brush fire next to the Cyclone. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)

Hours after elected officials christened the Cyclone to celebrate Luna Park’s spring opening, plumes of smoke began billowing from a parking lot next to the ride.

Cyclone riders were treated to a bird’s-eye view of firefighters hosing down the flames. The fire started Saturday afternoon in a patch of brush in the New York Aquarium parking lot — which is immediately adjacent to the iconic roller coaster.

At least 60 firefighter were called the scene just before 2pm, according to the FDNY. There were no injuries reported and the fire department has not determined the cause.

An FDNY truck parked next to the brush fire in the New York Aquarium parking lot. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)
An FDNY truck parked next to the brush fire in the New York Aquarium parking lot. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)

The few cars parked next to the smoldering brush did not appear damaged, save for a little mud kicked on their fenders by the FDNY hose. The tall grass in the section that caught on fire was completely eliminated — either by the flames or the hose — leaving only a few brush stumps sticking out of the mud.

A patch of mud was all that was left of the grass that caught on fire. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)
A patch of mud was all that was left of the grass that caught on fire. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)

The fire occurred on the day Luna Park held its opening ceremony, which was delayed one week when weather reports predicted a Nor’easter on the first day of spring.

Elected officials, including Senator Chuck Schumer, Borough President Eric Adams, Assemblywoman Pamela Harris, City Councilman Mark Treyger, and State Senator Marty Golden, came out to christen the Cyclone by breaking an egg cream over the landmarked attraction.

Elected officials come to celebrate Luna Park's opening. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)
Elected officials came to celebrate Luna Park’s opening. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)

“We are on fire in Coney Island,” Golden said during the ceremony. “Keep up the great work.”

Nice forecast, senator.