Details of Friday’s Fire at Neverland
At 2:25 p.m. California time on Friday, reports of a fire at Neverland were received. Firefighters arrived at Neverland after 15 minutes and were able to fully contain the fire by 7:30 p.m.
The blaze affected only the western part of the Neverland amusement park. The road running through the park caused the fire to split into two branches and to spread to both sides of the amusement area, including attractions such as the Ferris wheel and the octopus ride. The fire then moved from a steep road in Neverland toward the cattle pasture. But it did not harm the herd. 
Helicopters used water from Neverland’s lake, home to swans and pink flamingos, to put out the fire. One hundred firefighters also fought the blaze on the ground along with several bulldozers.
Neverland’s specialized firefighting team tried to bring the fire under control before the official fire department arrived. Michael hired this special team in 1989 after a fire that occurred at Neverland. That year, a $300,000 stable where two giraffes were kept burned down. The giraffes and the chimpanzees that were housed in a nearby enclosure were saved. It was reported that the heating system installed two weeks before the incident was the cause of the fire.
Michael bought Neverland in 1988 with an area of 2,500 acres—about one thousand hectares—for $14.6 million, turning it into a dreamlike place. Attractions at Neverland include an amusement park, a zoo, a lake, a cinema, and a shopping arcade. For years, Neverland has given sick, disabled, and underprivileged children—who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to enjoy such facilities in their lives—moments of happiness to remember.
The cost of maintaining Neverland is $3 million per year.
Violet Silva, one of Neverland’s former employees, said that an extensive fire suppression system is installed throughout Neverland, and every building is equipped with sprinkler systems to put out fires.
Silva worked at Neverland for 15 years, and during the last seven years of her time there she served as the manager of the security and firefighting team.
She said that team members regularly take state firefighters around the Neverland area so that, in case of an incident, they can become familiar with the site’s characteristics.
"Our goal was to prevent this incident. Given the fire suppression system and sprinklers, Neverland is designed very well for that purpose."
While she was at Neverland, Silva trained the security team members on ways to deal with fires. She also said that Neverland’s map had been provided to the state fire department.
"With all these precautions, I’m sure everything will be properly under control."
Source: eMJey / Santa Barbara News Press
Helicopters used water from Neverland’s lake, home to swans and pink flamingos, to put out the fire. One hundred firefighters also fought the blaze on the ground along with several bulldozers.
Neverland’s specialized firefighting team tried to bring the fire under control before the official fire department arrived. Michael hired this special team in 1989 after a fire that occurred at Neverland. That year, a $300,000 stable where two giraffes were kept burned down. The giraffes and the chimpanzees that were housed in a nearby enclosure were saved. It was reported that the heating system installed two weeks before the incident was the cause of the fire.
Michael bought Neverland in 1988 with an area of 2,500 acres—about one thousand hectares—for $14.6 million, turning it into a dreamlike place. Attractions at Neverland include an amusement park, a zoo, a lake, a cinema, and a shopping arcade. For years, Neverland has given sick, disabled, and underprivileged children—who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to enjoy such facilities in their lives—moments of happiness to remember.
The cost of maintaining Neverland is $3 million per year.
Violet Silva, one of Neverland’s former employees, said that an extensive fire suppression system is installed throughout Neverland, and every building is equipped with sprinkler systems to put out fires.
Silva worked at Neverland for 15 years, and during the last seven years of her time there she served as the manager of the security and firefighting team.
She said that team members regularly take state firefighters around the Neverland area so that, in case of an incident, they can become familiar with the site’s characteristics.
"Our goal was to prevent this incident. Given the fire suppression system and sprinklers, Neverland is designed very well for that purpose."
While she was at Neverland, Silva trained the security team members on ways to deal with fires. She also said that Neverland’s map had been provided to the state fire department.
"With all these precautions, I’m sure everything will be properly under control."
Source: eMJey / Santa Barbara News Press