Total Blaze Damage Estimated At Over Half Million Dollars

FARMINGTON, Davis County – Lagoon resort – hit hard Saturday night by a spectacular fire that swept through the historic Utah playground – will be rebuilt immediately.

            The costly blaze, first noticed by a Farmington resident about 10:55 p.m., and battled by firemen from eight communities, caused damage in excess of $500,000 to the west side of the resort.

            Robert E. Freed, secretary, treasurer of Utah Amusement Corp., Lagoon operators, said the burned-out portion of the midway would be rebuilt by May 1.

Fanned by Wind

            Flames fanned by a brisk wind shot through the resort from the southernmost buildings, destroying the tunnel of horrors, funhouse, shooting gallery, several smaller concessions, the dance ballroom, café, taproom and storehouse.

            Only the quick work of volunteer firemen who battled the blaze for more than six hours prevented the flames from spreading to the buildings on the east.

            The flames, which reached skyward more than 300 feet at the height of the blaze, attracted literally thousands of spectators from as far south as Salt Lake City and as far north as Ogden where a dull red glow could be seen reflected on the clouds.

No One Injured

            No one was injured seriously.

            Cause of the fire was not determined Monday, but an investigation was under way. Considered were spontaneous combustion, an electric spark or a dropped cigaret. The resort had been closed after Labor Day, but a few persons were still employed at the resort doing maintenance work.

            At the height of the blaze, flames and sparks spread in fields north of the playground threatening the huge Paramount Dairy barns nearby.

            Fred D. Fellow, Farmington, who turned in the first alarm, was at his home when he noticed flames creeping from the resort.

500 Volunteers

            Within minutes, volunteers estimated as high as 500 had responded from Farmington, Bountiful, Davis County, Kaysville, Layton, Clearfield, Naval Supply Depot and Hill Air Force Base.

            Davis County peace officers and Utah State Highway Patrol troopers battled feverishly for more than four hours keeping in check the huge volume of traffic along approaches to the resort. The newly-opened Lagoon-Layton overpass and freeway were jammed solidly with automobiles of spectators from as far away as Magna.

            Weary firemen said later they believed much of the part burned could have been saved if they had had an ample water supply. Only a four-inch main served the resort, and the nearby lake and swimming pool both were “dry.”

Wires Hinder Workers

            Until power could be shut off from high-voltage power lines, flashing arcs and falling wires hampered firefighters.

            Dean Smith, caretaker, was asleep with his family in an apartment just north of the midway. He was awakened by fire engine sirens and the barking of his dogs. He was injured slightly when he jumped onto a garage roof while wetting down the roof of the offices and home.

            Exhausted firemen kept up the fight until about 4 a.m., but continued to keep fire-fighting equipment at the scene all night. The fire was still smoldering Sunday afternoon.

East Buildings Saved

            Saved by firemen were all buildings east of the midway, although the faces of concessions just beyond the separating grass and tree-lined center strips were scorched by the heat.

            The swimming pool – rebuilt recently at a cost of about $340,000 was not damaged. Only the approaches to the roller coaster and some of the easternmost timbers were razed.

            The new metal funhouse barrel installed only last year was all that was visible above the rubble of the funhouse. The prize center was a mass of melted glassware and smoked cooking utensils Sunday.

            Remains of the Ranch House Café and warehouse building located directly north of the dance pavilion contained a pile of folding chairs and two badly-charred refrigerators.

            The merry-go-round animals were blistered from the heat of the fire across the pathway, but the unit was saved.

Oil Drums Burst

            During the blaze, several explosions spewed flames even higher when several drums of oil burst and burned. Fear was held that an underground gasoline storage tank near the ballroom would explode.

            Mr. Freed, who is co-operator with Ranch Kimball, manager, said the los was “partially” covered by insurance. He said the fire was the first at the resort since it was built in 1896 by Simon Bamberger.

            Lagoon is the nation’s oldest summer resort operated continuously by the same family. Owned by Bamberger interests, it has been leased in recent years to Utah Amusement Co., headed by Mr. Freed and Mr. Kimball.

Vard Jones