Fire Damages Historic Roller Coaster at Rye Playland

An electrical fire damaged a historic roller coaster at Rye Playland, an amusement park in Westchester County, over the weekend. This incident occurred around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday at the park, which, by the way, is already closed for the season.

The fire affected a section of the Dragon Coaster, one of the oldest wooden coasters in the United States. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and officials noted that the damage was minimal.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins expressed his appreciation for the quick response of the Rye Fire Department, mentioning how much the Dragon Coaster signifies to many fans of Playland. It’s interesting, really—everyone knows how iconic this ride is to the community.

As for repairs, the park’s maintenance team is set to tackle the necessary work during the off-season. The coaster, which opened 97 years ago, has long been the main draw for the park, not to mention appearing in various media, including Tom Hanks’ film “Big” and Mariah Carey’s music video for “Fantasy.” Just last winter, the coaster underwent renovations, leading to a bit of public concern when some of its pieces were spotted in a dumpster beforehand, which sparked chatter among local fans.

There have been ongoing financial issues regarding the park, particularly last year when disputes arose between county officials and private operators. At one point, this led to the closure of various attractions, including the Dragon Coaster, which was notably closed for the entire 2025 season after the pandemic brought operations to a halt.

While the fire was classified as electrical, investigators are still working to pinpoint the exact cause. Jenkins concluded with a hopeful note, assuring the community that “this Dragon will rise again for Playland’s 99th season.” It’s a reassuring sentiment really—fans will undoubtedly be eager to see the ride back in action.