Fire temporarily closes popular Tempe water park Big Surf
Jun 19, 2017, 10:04 AM | Updated: 8:56 pm
(Instagram Photo/@ohhheyitslisa)
PHOENIX — A fire has shut down a popular suburban Phoenix water park Monday, expected to be one of the hottest days of the year.
The iconic Big Surf Waterpark in Tempe will be closed so park officials can assess the damage from a small blaze Sunday night in
a bathroom. The fire was easily managed and no one was injured.
Facility general manager Bob Pena said the park should reopen Tuesday after damage assessment and cleanup were completed.
Monday’s high was expected to be 116 degrees with a low of 88. Temperatures would reach 119 degrees Tuesday.
Temperatures like this happen less than once per year on avg. High risk of heat illness if doing strenuous activity outdoors. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/arfdC0USrR
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 19, 2017
Big Surf opened in 1969 at McClintock Drive near McKellips Road and boasted a wave machine that allowed people to surf in a huge pool.
The park has since expanded and features several water slides and other attractions.
The season opened May 6.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.