article for Haunted Attraction..pre-edit
Jan. 27th, 2002 07:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elionwyrFire on the Boardwalk:
Another Haunting Legacy Lost
For people visiting the Jersey shore, haunted houses have always been a boardwalk must. But on January 16, 2002, an act of accidental arson destroyed the last of a fading breed…Castle Dracula, located in Wildwood, New Jersey.
The fire was first reported at 10:38AM that Wednesday morning. Two teen-aged boys were caught running from the building, and over 100 firemen rushed to the scene to battle the flames, but within 20 minutes, the once-proud structure was completely destroyed. Though the fire was brought under control by 12:30PM, firefighters stayed on-site through the night to be sure that there was no danger from hidden “hot spots” within the smoking ruins.
An investigation into what exactly happened is still under way. A sprinkler system had been present in the wood-frame structure, but it’s still unclear if the system was working or not. Because the Castle was a seasonal attraction, the building had been closed down for the winter, and was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
The two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged with arson, burglary, and criminal mischief. Their names have not been released because they’re minors; they may, however, be prosecuted as adults. Currently, they are serving in-home detention, and will wear electronic monitoring devices 24 hours a day until their February pre-trial conference.
Castle Dracula was Wildwood’s oldest amusement park ride. Originally the site of a “Tunnel of Love”, the attraction was redesigned when the Nickels family purchased the property and renamed the location “The Nickels Midway Pier.” Rising four stories and high and consisting of a walk-through haunted house as well as a dungeon-themed boat ride, the Castle opened in 1976 and became a boardwalk landmark.
Shortly after news of the fire hit the news, the Nickels family stated that the Castle would not be rebuilt. In light of public reaction to the loss of the haunt, however, the decision was changed. After permission is given to clear the site of debris from the fire, a $10 million project to rebuild the haunted house and ride will begin.
The Nickels expect this effort to take about 1-1/2 years.
Next Issue: A History of Castle Dracula; and Memories from the Cast
Another Haunting Legacy Lost
For people visiting the Jersey shore, haunted houses have always been a boardwalk must. But on January 16, 2002, an act of accidental arson destroyed the last of a fading breed…Castle Dracula, located in Wildwood, New Jersey.
The fire was first reported at 10:38AM that Wednesday morning. Two teen-aged boys were caught running from the building, and over 100 firemen rushed to the scene to battle the flames, but within 20 minutes, the once-proud structure was completely destroyed. Though the fire was brought under control by 12:30PM, firefighters stayed on-site through the night to be sure that there was no danger from hidden “hot spots” within the smoking ruins.
An investigation into what exactly happened is still under way. A sprinkler system had been present in the wood-frame structure, but it’s still unclear if the system was working or not. Because the Castle was a seasonal attraction, the building had been closed down for the winter, and was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
The two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged with arson, burglary, and criminal mischief. Their names have not been released because they’re minors; they may, however, be prosecuted as adults. Currently, they are serving in-home detention, and will wear electronic monitoring devices 24 hours a day until their February pre-trial conference.
Castle Dracula was Wildwood’s oldest amusement park ride. Originally the site of a “Tunnel of Love”, the attraction was redesigned when the Nickels family purchased the property and renamed the location “The Nickels Midway Pier.” Rising four stories and high and consisting of a walk-through haunted house as well as a dungeon-themed boat ride, the Castle opened in 1976 and became a boardwalk landmark.
Shortly after news of the fire hit the news, the Nickels family stated that the Castle would not be rebuilt. In light of public reaction to the loss of the haunt, however, the decision was changed. After permission is given to clear the site of debris from the fire, a $10 million project to rebuild the haunted house and ride will begin.
The Nickels expect this effort to take about 1-1/2 years.
Next Issue: A History of Castle Dracula; and Memories from the Cast
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finished version
Date: 2002-11-06 09:41 am (UTC)