An imitation volcano in a hotel and water park’s swimming pool developed delusions of grandeur, forcing guests to flee to the parking lot in their bare feet and swimsuits.
The 20-foot-tall plastic volcano at the Edgewater Hotel and Waterpark started belching black smoke and shooting flames Thursday. The hotel manager said a malfunctioning internal speaker ignited the fire.
Firefighters helped put out the fire, but not before part of the volcano melted.
The displaced swimmers were given blankets and directed to the nearby Perkins and Black Woods restaurants. Once guests were allowed back into their rooms, the staff treated them to in-room ice cream Thursday night.
The Edgewater reopened in January 2006 after a 14-month, $20 million remodeling project.
