A roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort caught fire early Friday morning, raising new concerns just weeks after the park’s newest ride was involved in the tragic death of a guest.
The fire broke out on a section of the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster — a ride that has been closed and is currently being torn down. According to the Orlando Fire Department, the flames were spotted on part of the coaster’s lift hill, a key area that pulls riders to the top before a major drop.
Firefighters responded quickly, and the fire was contained without injuries, according to local FOX 35 Orlando. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the Orlando Fire Department has not released additional details. FOX Business said the department did not respond to a request for comment.
The coaster, once known for blasting music through on-board speakers while guests raced through vertical drops and loops, officially closed on August 18. Crews have already removed several major features of the ride, including its iconic loop. Universal has not announced what attraction will take its place, keeping guests guessing.
Rip Ride Rockit Fire: The now closed Universal Studios roller coaster caught fire! The Orlando Fire Department confirmed firefighters worked a small active fire on the tracks The ride permanently closed on Aug. 18 to make way for a new experience. pic.twitter.com/SlYREJRb1T
— John Cremeans (@JohnCremeansX) October 10, 2025
But Friday’s fire is just the latest in a string of troubling headlines for the popular resort.
In May, Universal Orlando opened its fourth theme park, Epic Universe, with new themed areas and high-tech rides — including Stardust Racers, located in the Celestial Park section. Just a few weeks later, tragedy struck.
On September 15, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man visiting the park, died after riding Stardust Racers. According to the incident report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Zavala had a spinal injury, used a wheelchair, and was on medication. He rode the attraction with assistance, but after the ride, something went terribly wrong.
Stardust Racers was closed after his death, but Universal quietly reopened the ride last weekend following what it described as a thorough safety review.
That decision has sparked backlash from the family’s attorney, Ben Crump, who has taken on several high-profile cases across the country. In a statement, Crump claimed reopening the ride before experts could inspect it was “a grave risk to public safety” and accused the company of putting “profit over people’s lives.”
He went even further, saying that if the ride functioned exactly as designed, and Zavala still died, “then the design itself is deadly.” Crump is demanding that Universal pause operations, preserve evidence, and allow independent experts to fully examine the ride.
In response, Karen Irwin, president of Universal Orlando Resort, defended the decision to reopen the ride. In a letter to staff sent days before the reopening, she said, “Our comprehensive technical and operational review confirmed the ride systems functioned properly… and our Team Members followed procedures throughout.”
Universal Orlando will reopen Stardust Racers Saturday with new restriction, 17 days after man’s death https://t.co/jTMiNoHQeW
— South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) October 4, 2025
But for many guests, it’s hard to ignore the timing.
One fire. One fatal accident. Two rides, one park, and a lot of unanswered questions.
Universal Orlando is one of the most visited resorts in the country and is owned by Comcast NBCUniversal. The company has not announced any changes in operations or made any further comments on the fire as of now.
With more visitors expected as the holidays approach, attention is now turning to how the park moves forward — and whether safety concerns could cast a shadow over its biggest year yet.
