Smoked Gator

Not a Florida recipe but rather this news-

ORLANDO -- Firefighters are battling a blaze this morning at Gatorland, the 110-acre alligator theme park and preserve in Orange County.

Large billows of smoke are still rising from the building, and about 75 firefighters are going full force with hoses to extinguish flames in a building at the front of the park. The fire is mostly contained, but a few hot spots remain.

At the park's entrance, the signature concrete and steel gator mouth built in 1963 is burned. The teeth on the top are charcoal black, and the building's roof has completely collapsed over the main part of the building.

Two dwarf crocodiles located behind the gift shop have probably died, said Gatorland spokeswoman Michelle Harris. Firefighters allowed the park's curator in to assess the interior and check on the animals at about 9:15. No details have been released yet.

Harris said that officials also are worried about how the smoke may affect a few snakes and other animals.

Orange County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Marianne Nuckles said emergency officials received a call at 5:55 a.m. reporting smoke and flames at the park.

The park has been in business since 1949 and I've been coming to Florida or lived here for over 40 years. I hadn't even heard of Gatorland today.

TFM wishes Gatorland well in their efforts to re-open. It remains unlikely I'll ever visit the park now that I know of it.

Linked to- Bright & Early, Pirate's Cove,