On the evening of March 22nd, black smoke was spotted behind EPCOT in Disney World.
EPCOT
The smoke could be seen from the Disney World Skyliner and from Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.
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The smoke appears to be in EPCOT, and based on reports on social media, the smoke quickly rose above the World Showcase. EPCOT has not made any safety announcements, according to a Disney Food Blog reader on Instagram.
A fire at EPCOT was seen from The BoardWalk, we currently do not have any further details. pic.twitter.com/ok9WE61CyD
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 22, 2025
A few minutes later, the smoke started to disperse and appeared less dark.
EPCOT smoke
Some social media users claimed that all buildings in the France Pavilion have been evacuated.
It’s starting to clear
A social media user on X, formerly Twitter, posted a video showing a fire behind the France Pavilion.
Fire at Disney Epcot pic.twitter.com/PRhRSiaVHD
— Ryan (@ryanwmsn) March 22, 2025
Local Orlando news outlet WSVN shared a video where the fire could be seen in a backstage area. Guests can be seen exiting the buildings, including the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction.
#Breaking – Structure fire at Disney’s EPCOT Park. pic.twitter.com/Rmi3hHFFJt
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) March 22, 2025
Over in the American Adventure Pavilion, the smoke could be seen above the trees around 7:02 PM.
Fire at Disney World Epcot! pic.twitter.com/jNfbElk98O
— Ryan McDonald (@RyanJMcDonald) March 22, 2025
At 7:27 PM, the fire was reportedly extinguished.
Fire has been extinguished.
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) March 22, 2025
UPDATE: Fox 35 Orlando reported that a walk-in cooler caught fire backstage, and no one was injured.
This is not the first time we’ve seen a fire in Disney World. In 2021, a fire was reported in Magic Kingdom. According to DFB reader @Rosieredsara83 on Instagram, Cinderella’s Royal Table was evacuated after a Cast Member reported a fire. Emergency response vehicles were also seen near Cinderella Castle.
Emergency vehicles in Magic Kingdom
Additionally, in 2022, a fire broke out in EPCOT. Witnesses stated that the incident happened during Harmonious. There were no injuries reported.
Harmonious photo from 2022
This is a developing story, so stay tuned for more information. We will continue to update you as we learn more.
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I read that someone heard it started in a walk-in cooler for Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, and it was extinguished quickly. My favorite counter service restaurant in all of WDW, in my favorite pavilion in Epcot. I am glad no one was injured and it was handled quickly. Viva la France!
Ya know, our schools’ brand new freezer did the same thing over a break! I wonder if they are the same brand?? ?
I was there when the smoke came out. It wasn’t that big of a deal. Don’t make it bigger then what it wasn’t.
It is amazing to believe or understand why Disney did not, or does not have an active fire suppression system in place to address a concern of this magnitude. This is not a small fire and black smoke usually means more than a small issue. Very disturbing that automatic systems were not in place and I. Full operation. Whit smoke means fire is under control, black smoke does not. Where are the fire teams to prevent this from occurring to this level. Poor planning on Disney’s part when guest and cast member safety if a highly places standard at Disney. Very disturbing.