In a startling incident on Friday afternoon, two electric buses associated with Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park erupted in flames at a bus depot located at 9505 Universal Blvd., just outside the park. The fire was swiftly contained by emergency responders, with no injuries reported.
According to reports from multiple sources, the Orange County Fire Rescue Department (OCFRD) was dispatched to the scene following alerts of a fully engulfed bus fire.
Aerial look at two buses destroyed by fire in the Universal electric bus service area.
Reportedly the bus at left caught fire and it spread to the bus at right. Another bus nearby quickly was moved away. pic.twitter.com/hCPpCSsnOX— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 25, 2025
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Firefighters arrived to find two buses affected, with flames spreading between the vehicles parked at the depot. Aerial footage captured by local news helicopters showed thick black smoke billowing from the charred remains of the buses, which were branded with Epic Universe themes.
Two Universal Epic Universe Buses Destroyed by Fire Just Outside Park. Everyone aboard escaped injury after the vehicles caught fire. The fire was extinguished and there were no injuries. pic.twitter.com/ud2PuT4uam
— Albert Rodriguez (@arodz21) July 25, 2025
The buses, described as new electric models used for guest transportation at Universal Orlando Resort, were unoccupied at the time of the blaze, contributing to the absence of casualties. Initial confusion arose with some reports suggesting the fire occurred at a nearby gas station, but officials clarified it was isolated to the resort’s bus depot. The incident unfolded around early afternoon, prompting a rapid response that extinguished the flames efficiently.
What is happening at dark universe pic.twitter.com/KW9eIYLUlI
— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) July 25, 2025
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Universal Orlando representatives issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to safety.
“We’re grateful to the Orange County Fire Rescue Department for their swift response,” they said. “Safety remains our top priority.”
The resort confirmed that operations at Epic Universe, which opened to the public in May 2025 as Universal’s fourth theme park in Orlando, were unaffected by the event.
The entrance to Super Nintendo World at Night – Photo Credit: NBC Universal
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One X user noted the proximity to the park’s Dark Universe land, though the fire was confirmed to be off-property and unrelated to park attractions.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation by OCFRD and Universal Orlando’s safety teams.
Speculation on social media ranged from electrical malfunctions—given the buses’ battery-powered nature—to other potential factors, but no official determination has been made. It’s also unclear if the incident will impact the resort’s transportation fleet in the short term, though backups were reportedly activated to maintain service.
The flaming windmill at Dark Universe in Universal’s Epic Universe – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
This event comes amid heightened attention on Epic Universe, Universal’s ambitious new park featuring immersive lands like Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Since its opening, the park has drawn massive crowds, making any disruptions notable for visitors and locals alike.
As this is a developing story, updates will be provided as more information becomes available from investigators and Universal Orlando.
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