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Guest Phone Charger Causes Fire and Evacuation on Disney's 'It's a Small World'

Disney confirmed a portable lithium‑ion power bank ignited, highlighting safety risks around high‑capacity chargers in crowded indoor attractions.

Overview

  • A portable phone charger ignited inside a boat on Wednesday, July 1, triggering a controlled evacuation of the 'It's a Small World' attraction at Magic Kingdom.
  • Disney said cast members used a fire extinguisher to put out the small blaze before firefighters arrived, no injuries were reported, and the ride reopened after roughly 90 minutes of smoke clearing and safety checks.
  • Viral TikTok footage, notably from @CoachBragg, circulated early and showed smoke and extinguisher residue in the loading area which helped drive initial reporting about the incident.
  • Reporters and safety experts noted that high‑capacity lithium‑ion power banks can suffer thermal runaway if damaged, defective, or exposed to heat, which can produce sparks, dense smoke, and toxic fumes.
  • Disney's rare public confirmation focused attention on guest-carried batteries and may prompt renewed scrutiny of park guidance and visitor practices for carrying portable chargers into enclosed attractions.