PHOTOS: Dinosaur Catches Fire In New Jersey Park 2 Weeks Before Grand Opening
LEONIA, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A massive animatronic dinosaur was completely destroyed after catching fire at a New Jersey park on Thursday.
The fire broke out at the Field Station: Dinosaurs exhibit, which was set to hold its grand opening at Overpeck County Park in Leonia on May 28 after moving from Secaucus.
These dinosaurs survived, however they refused to give a witness statement. pic.twitter.com/ydqq3bjutF
— Leonia Police Dept (@LeoniaPD) May 12, 2016
A welder was putting the finishing touches on the dinosaur when a spark set it ablaze, exhibit creator Guy Gsell told NorthJersey.com.
Photos posted to Twitter by the Leonia Police Department show only the dinosaur's metal skeleton remains standing.
Pic of @LeoniaFireDept putting out the dinosaur on fire. pic.twitter.com/RRH0AiMCy0
— Leonia Police Dept (@LeoniaPD) May 12, 2016
Police said only the one dinosaur was destroyed and the rest of the park is fine.
The park plans to rebuild the 90-foot-long Argentinosaurus, which was the longest animatronic dinosaur in the world, Gsell said. It also had to be repaired after falling over during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Gsell said they will open Memorial Day weekend as planned.