From the Sandusky Register…
SANDUSKY
Sandusky fire investigators are still trying to pinpoint the cause of Tuesday’s fire in a Cedar Point service building.
It appears the fire may have been nothing more than accidental, but investigators still want to determine the precise cause, Sandusky assistant fire Chief Paul Ricci said. Three firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze, but all three have been treated and released from the hospital.
From The Morning Journal…
SANDUSKY — Firefighters continue to investigate the cause of a blaze that damaged a maintenance building at Cedar Point on Tuesday night.
Two firefighters from Cedar Point and Margaretta Township suffered from heat exhaustion and Sandusky Firefighter Steve Rucker suffered a fall of about 10 feet from a ground ladder at the building, said SFD Assistant Chief Paul Ricci. The three were treated and released from Firelands Regional Medical Center.
Sandusky Fire Inspector Rudy Ruiz was back at the building this morning to examine a possible cause, Ricci said.
It appeared the fire may have started in a second floor storage area, but an exact cause and location were not known yet, he said.
The fire did not damage any Cedar Point rides, although the Corkscrew roller coaster, the Power Tower and the Super Himalaya spinning ride were closed because they were the rides closest to the fire, said park spokesman Bryan Edwards.
“Other than that, nothing happened inside the park,” Edwards said. “Guests were not in any danger and those rides were opened again this morning.”
The fire may have caused damage worth an estimated $500,000 to $750,000, Ricci said, but he cautioned that it’s a “very rough estimate” based on the building’s size. The structure, used as a plumbing shop, was a block and steel building about 50 feet wide by 100 feet long.
“There’s going to be considerable analysis as to the cost of this incident,” Ricci said.
The Cedar Point Fire Department called Sandusky firefighters at about 8:44 p.m. Friday for assistance in extinguishing a structure fire, Ricci said.
Sandusky firefighters arrived and entered the building, but got out fast, Ricci said.
“At some point into that operation there were significant indicators of a potential or partial collapse of the roof system,” he said. “All personnel were brought out.”
Firefighters from Huron and Margaretta Township responded to assist as Perkins Township firefighters also came into Sandusky to respond to other calls for fires or ambulances, Ricci said.
At Cedar Point, up to 40 firefighters were on scene and it took about 90 minutes to get the flames under control, Ricci said.
The fire was located in an area of the park not accessible to guests, Ricci said. Cedar Point maintenance workers had daily and nightly access to the building for park maintenance but it was unclear whether workers were inside the building when the fire broke out, he said.
The fire was the second multiple-alarm fire in two days for Sandusky and its neighboring fire departments.
On Monday, five firefighters suffered from heat exhaustion while battling a blaze in a six-unit condominium building at Marina Point Drive. That fire badly damaged two units and four others had smoke and water damage, Ricci said.
He credited the Sandusky firefighters and the surrounding departments for their work.
“Given the weather, it’s incredibly taxing on resources and personnel,” Ricci said. “They’re up to the task. They do a really admirable job.”
Cedar Fair Press Release
SANDUSKY, Ohio – The thrill of a roller coaster ride will have a whole lot more meaning on Thursday, July 29 when Cedar Fair Entertainment Company’s (NYSE: FUN) eleven amusement parks host “Coasting For Kids 2010” to raise money for Give Kids The World Village, the nonprofit organization that provides weeklong vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
The fun-filled event is a company-wide effort. Park fans and coaster enthusiasts alike will enjoy a day filled with riding the coolest roller coasters at their favorite park over and over again. Featured rides include Gemini at Cedar Point, Shivering Timbers at Michigan’s Adventure, Jaguar at Knott’s Berry Farm and the Racer at Kings Island, with rides at the other seven parks to be announced soon. All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 for Give Kids The World to take part – with prizes going to the top three fundraisers at each park.
All participants will receive complimentary admission to the park of their choice, a “Coasting For Kids” t-shirt and unlimited rides on the event’s featured attraction. Each participating park will also offer additional event perks unique to their location.
“Cedar Fair has been proud to partner with Give Kids The World for many years,” said Lee Ann Alexakos, Vice President Marketing and Advertising, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. “’Coasting For Kids’ is the perfect way for our guests to enjoy our parks – and help children with life-threatening illnesses.”
“We are so excited to work with Cedar Fair,” echoed Give Kids The World President, Pamela Landwirth. “We had such fun at the inaugural event at Cedar Point last year, and are looking forward to this nationwide coaster marathon at all eleven locations this year. This tremendous support for Give Kids The World will help us continue to make dreams come true for children who need it most.”
“Coasting For Kids” will take place at Cedar Point, OH; Kings Island, OH; Canada’s Wonderland, Ontario, Canada; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; Michigan’s Adventure, MI; Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; Worlds of Fun, MO; Knott’s Berry Farm CA; and California’s Great America, CA. Anyone who is interested in participating can go to www.firstgiving.com/gktw, click “register for an event” and pick the park they wish to attend and take part at. All participants must raise at least $50 by Wednesday, July 28 to take part in the event on July 29. Space at each park is limited. To learn more, interested participants can call Give Kids The World at 407.396.1114 ext. 4504 or email dream@gktw.org or log on to www.gktw.org.
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: “FUN”) is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Company, which owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California under a management contract. Cedar Fair’s flagship park, Cedar Point, has been consistently voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper.
Give Kids The World
Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 101,000 families from all 50 states and 72 countries.
From the Sandusky Register…
SANDUSKY
Cedar Point’s new thrill ride for 2011 will be announced in mid-August — a relatively early announcement compared to previous ride announcements.
Cedar Fair’s chairman and CEO, Dick Kinzel, dropped a hint about what’s coming. “It’s going to bring back a lot of memories for people that follow Cedar Point,” he said.
There’s lots to see and do, so stop on by and take advantage of everything the Point has to offer:
