The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff Reports

Posted: Monday, January 01, 2018 12:30 PM

State Commissioner Bans Company That Made Deadly Fireball Ride That Killed 18-Year Old In Ohio From Operating In TN

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips issued an order Thursday prohibiting all Fireball amusement devices, manufactured by KMG, from operating in the state. The Fireball device was the ride involved in a fatal accident Wednesday evening at the Ohio State Fair.

"After much consideration and thought, and with the safety of Tennesseans and visitors to our great state in mind, I have decided the Fireball amusement device should not operate here," said Commissioner Phillips.

The order will stay in effect until further notice. All amusement devises that enter Tennessee are required to be inspected or re-inspected as public safety requires.

The Commissioner's order aligns with similar decisions made in California, Indiana and Kentucky that also prevent the use of the ride.

"Each and every day, safety is our top priority," Commissioner Phillips said. "I prefer to err on the side of caution in this case and eliminate the possibility of any further accidents with this particular device."


North American Midway Entertainment currently has a permit to operate the FIreball ride at the Tennessee State Fair in Nashville; however, the state is in the process of notifying the operator that they will not be able to bring that device to the fair in September.

WTVF in Nashville reports the same company that is operating the Ohio State Fair, Amusements of America, has also been involved with fairs in Wilson County, as well as in both Memphis and Pulaski, Tennessee.