Terrifying moment waterslide explodes into huge fireball at theme park

Shocking footage caught the moment a waterslide exploded into flames at a theme park in Sweden.

In clips shared on social media, thick black smoke could be seen engulfing the attraction at Oceana Waterworld in Gothenburg earlier today (12 February).

The theme park, which is situated at the popular Liseberg amusement complex, was set to open later this year and had subcontractors working at the site when the fire broke out.

In a statement Liseberg said: "The fire started at one of the water rides outside the building and then spread to the entire building.”

As a result of the fire, a nearby hotel and office facilities were evacuated and the public were told to stay away from the site.

Police spokesperson August Brandt told local media: “It is important that the public stays away from the site.”

As yet, it’s not known what caused the fire.

A spokesperson for NCC - the general contractor of the site - told SVT: "We don't know anything for sure, but we believe that the fire broke out in connection with a work step."

Firefighter Björn van der Kaay told Swedish media: “We know that there are fires in water slides, among other things, but we don't know how it started.”

One resident told Expressen: “First we saw smoke, then fire and then it exploded,' adding that there was a thick smell of burnt plastic in the air.

“We have seen how the water slide has been formed over several months. Now it only looks like there is a skeleton left.”

While an employee at the site added: "The windows started shaking. The parts from the slide could just as easily have flown towards us.

"We had to leave everything and run out."

Sahlgrenska University Hospital has confirmed that it had treated 12 patients for minor injuries - but, as yet, no further details have been given.

Oceana had been scheduled to open this summer, according to Swedish news agency TT.

It will cost a staggering 1.2 billion kronor (£91,213,327) to build and when completed will be one of the biggest waterparks in Northern Europe.

The huge attraction is set to sprawl more than 6,000 square metres indoors and 4,000 square metres outdoors, with room for up to 1,750 bathers.

Liseberg CEO Andreas Andersen told a local paper that the group has activated its 'crisis management' procedure and called a meeting of the board following the fire.