Credit: Video screenshot @d0mesticdoobie on TikTok, Edited by ITMIt was supposed to be just another summer evening at Universal’s Islands of Adventure—hot, busy, and full of Butterbeer. Guests were lining up for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey like always. Then came the crack.
A loud, sudden burst of thunder turned heads. But what followed left guests pulling out their phones in disbelief. A flicker of orange. Smoke. And then, flames.
The sky had already been moody with late-July storm clouds, but what happened next wasn’t just a passing Florida shower. This wasn’t part of the theming. This wasn’t a staged pyrotechnic effect. It was real fire—and real concern.
A Fiery Disruption Near Hogwarts
Just after 7:30 p.m., a tree near the queue for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey caught fire, reportedly due to a lightning strike. One guest caught the moment on video, filming from the line as flames licked upward right near one of the attraction’s most popular pathways. The smoke was visible. The panic? Understandable.
Emergency crews from the Orlando Fire Department responded quickly, and the scene was officially cleared just 30 minutes later. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. But the incident was enough to disrupt operations at the park, which had to evacuate nearby areas as a precaution.
@d0mesticdoobie I just got in line when I saw the lightning hit and the loudest boom, about 60 seconds later the fire alarm comes on and we all have to evacuate!! To use this video in a commercial player or in broadcasts, please contact licensing@storyful.com. #universalstudios #universalorlando #islandsofadventure #harrypotter #fire #lightning
Not the First Flame at a Florida Theme Park
This fire follows a string of unrelated blazes at Central Florida attractions. Just a few days ago, two buses at the Universal Orlando bus depot caught fire. Earlier this year, Disney’s EPCOT also experienced a scare when a walk-in cooler in the backstage area of the France Pavilion sparked a fire, triggering an evacuation of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
While no one was harmed in any of these cases, they’ve collectively raised eyebrows—and questions—about fire safety and weather-related risks, especially during Florida’s unpredictable storm season.
A Summer of Smoke?
Summer in Orlando always means more than just soaring temperatures. Afternoon storms are practically guaranteed. And with that comes lightning—sometimes dangerously close to crowds, rides, and the landscaping that fills theme parks like Universal.
In this latest incident, it appears that lightning struck close enough to ignite the tree. While Universal hasn’t made a public statement yet, videos from guests have been circulating across social media, racking up views and comments from startled fans.
The fire was extinguished fast, but the memory lingers. It’s a reminder that even in the land of dragons and superheroes, nature sometimes steals the show.
What’s Next for Guests?
At the moment, it seems operations at Islands of Adventure have returned to normal. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is running as scheduled, and the surrounding areas appear to have been cleared without damage to the attraction itself.
But if you’re planning a visit, keep in mind: July and August are prime months for surprise storms. Always follow staff directions and stay aware of nearby weather advisories—especially when outdoor queues are involved.
It’s not every day that a tree fire stops a theme park in its tracks. But on this day, magic gave way to Mother Nature—and thankfully, quick-thinking crews were there to put the flames out before real disaster struck.