A massive fire erupted on Monday at a waterpark under construction within Liseberg Park, one of the largest amusement parks in the Nordic region, casting a towering plume of black smoke over Gothenburg , Sweden ‘s second-largest city.
The blaze swiftly spread across multiple yet-to-be-opened waterslides, prompting concerns about potential casualties. Both police and fire officials could not provide immediate information on any injuries.
Authorities urged residents in the vicinity affected by the smoke to seek shelter indoors, shut doors, windows, and ventilation systems, and stay tuned to local radio broadcasts for updates.
Reports indicated the evacuation of a nearby hotel and office facilities as the flames raged on, with an explosion further exacerbating the situation by scattering debris from surrounding structures onto the burning waterslides.
Mårten Westlund, Liseberg’s head of communications, reassured the public, stating, “We have no information that there should be any injuries. We are now in the process of ensuring that this is the case.”
The fire originated at the Oceana water park, slated for a summer opening. According to Swedish news agency TT, the construction costs for Oceana amounted to $10.6 million.
Westlund revealed that the fire initiated in the section of the complex housing four large slides.
Situated in downtown Gothenburg, Liseberg is a popular tourist attraction in Sweden.
The concept behind Oceana drew inspiration from Gothenburg’s rich history, tracing back to its founding in 1621 by King Gustav II Adolf when the city burgeoned into a pivotal trading hub for Sweden.
Upon completion, Oceana was set to feature an expansive indoor swimming area spanning almost 7,176 square yards, alongside a 4,780-square-yard outdoor swimming facility. Additional amenities included a restaurant and hotel accommodations, with plans accommodating up to 1,750 guests concurrently.
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