Fire burns High Anxiety water tunnel at NJ’s Mountain Creek

VERNON — The Mountain Creek water park will open for the season on Saturday without of its most popular attractions after a fire Tuesday afternoon.

The fire that sent thick black smoke into the air heavily damaged the High Anxiety water tunnel Tuesday afternoon closing the attraction for the foreseeable future, according to the park that is part of the Mountain Creek ski area.

The park was closed to the public at the time of the fire.

"While we are certainly disappointed that we won’t have High Anxiety available for the foreseeable future, we know that our resilient team is ready to welcome guests back this weekend for our season opening as planned this Saturday, June 19th," the park said in a statement.

The park was also appreciative to the quick response from the fire and police departments from several surrounding departments.

Vernon police Capt. Keith C. Kimkowski told New Jersey 101.5 that the fire is currently being investigated by the Vernon Township Police Department, Vernon Township Fire Marshall and the Sussex County Prosecutors office.

Riders can go on High Anxiety together on a raft through a dark tunnel with a 45-foot drop into a funnel and then flown to extreme heights that results in a feeling of weightlessness at times.

Over 20 rides and attractions currently make up the property once known as the infamous Action Park, where many of its riders were injured on its unique rides. It was the subject of an HBO special in 2020 called Class Action Park.

Two people were sent to a hospital for treatment after two cars on the the Saw Mill water flume ride at Six Flags Great Adventure appear to have hit each other on Sunday night. A spokeswoman said the log boat was angled up on its side, but it was not overturned

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ