News / Ashton Court Estate
Jurassic Spark at Ashton Court
An animatronic dinosaur has gone up in flames at Ashton Court.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 10.55am on Thursday morning where, on arrival, crews found a 10-metre-long and six-metre-tall diplodocus on fire.
The fire took place in the woodland garden by the mansion on Ashton Court estate.
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One firefighter wearing a breathing apparatus and using a high-pressure hose was able to extinguish the fire.
The diplodocus was due to be on display as part of the national Jurassic Encounters tour, which is stopping off in Bristol this weekend and will remain at Ashton Court until October 30.
The dinosaur had been reduced to smithereens by 1pm – photo: Mia Vines Booth
The exhibit was due to feature 50 life-size animatronic dinosaurs from the Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods.
Each dinosaur will have robotic movements and roaring sound effects. The dinosaurs have already stopped off at London, Buxton, Edinburgh and Southampton.
For the diplodocus, however, its time has come to an end. The fire ripped through its exterior, exposing the structure within, before leaving nothing more than ash at the scene.
The cause of the incident is thought to have been an accident.
Bristol24/7 has reached out to the organisers for comment.
Main photo: Claire Fenella E Twitter
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