Electrical Fire Damages Historic Dragon Coaster at Rye Playland
The century-old wooden roller coaster sustained minimal damage and is expected to be repaired before the next season.
An electrical fire caused minor damage to the historic Dragon Coaster at Rye Playland in Westchester County over the weekend. The fire erupted around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday at the county-owned amusement park, which was already closed for the season.
No injuries were reported. The Rye Fire Department responded quickly to extinguish the flames.
“We know how much the Dragon Coaster means to generations of Playland enthusiasts,” Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a statement. “We are grateful to the Rye Fire Department for their quick respond and for extinguishing the fire.”
The park's maintenance team plans to repair the ride during the off-season months. Jenkins added, “Rest assured: this Dragon will rise again for Playland’s 99th season.”
The Dragon Coaster, which opened 97 years ago, is one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the country. It has been a signature attraction at the park, which was featured in the 1988 film "Big" and Mariah Carey's 1995 music video for "Fantasy."
In the winter of 2025-2026, parts of the ride's dragon facade were replaced, drawing significant public attention. The coaster was closed for the entire 2025 season, only the second time in its history it was not operational, following a COVID-19 shutdown.
Playland has faced operational challenges in recent years. In May 2025, Westchester County awarded a $1.7 million emergency contract to ensure the park could partially open after its private operator, Standard Amusement, withdrew from its management contract. Standard Amusement claimed to have invested over $35 million since 2021, but disputes arose with county officials over contract fulfillment.
The exact cause of the electrical fire remains under investigation.