Dragon Coaster damaged by electrical fire at Rye Playland

An electrical fire damaged the historic Dragon Coaster at Rye Playland in Westchester County over the weekend. The fire broke out around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday at the waterfront, county-owned amusement park. Because the park was already closed for the season, no injuries were reported, and authorities stated the damage was minimal.

The Dragon Coaster is one of the oldest wooden coasters in the United States, having opened 97 years ago. It has gained cultural recognition as a filming location for the movie ‘Big’ and a Mariah Carey music video. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins expressed gratitude to the Rye Fire Department for their rapid response.

Maintenance teams plan to repair the ride during the off-season fall months. The park has recently faced operational challenges following a financial dispute between Westchester County and private operator Standard Amusement, which led to an emergency contract to keep portions of the park open.