A major fire broke out this Monday morning in Sweden's largest amusement park in Gothenburg in the west of the country.
The fire spread to a new aquatic area which is not yet open to the public.
“A major fire broke out at the Liseberg Oceana water park.
The fire started in one of the water attractions outside the building and then spread to the entire building,” park management said in a statement.
This part of the park with water activities is part of an expansion project of the amusement park.
It was expected to open later in 2024. Local media images show flames destroying a water slide and a large column of black smoke rising above the city.
Storbrand utbryter vid Lisebergs planerade badhus, Oceana.
Lågor och tjock, svart rök stiger mot himlen vid ena ingången till det nya anläggningen.
#liseberg https://t.co/foMOzm71BX
— room (@ROGSAHL) February 12, 2024
Emergency services in the region asked people nearby “to stay indoors and close doors, windows and ventilation” due to the heavy smoke.
pic.twitter.com/LvytL2IFrg
— Rasmus Palmgren (@Palmsvettet) February 12, 2024
Police said adjacent buildings were evacuated and they were assisting emergency services.
For the moment, the authorities believe that it is too early to comment on a possible criminal origin of the disaster and to give an assessment of the damage.