Spider Pig, the special shape balloon that flew in the 2011 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, has caught fire at an Arizona show.
KTVK-TV reports that the hot-air balloon broke loose from its ropes and caught fire at the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in Carefree, Ariz., on Saturday. It took off and part of the envelope caught fire briefly.
The pilot, 71-year old Wayne Bond, flew the balloon about a half mile away. No one in the crowd was injured.
It’s not exactly clear yet as to how much damage Spider Pig sustained or how long it will take to be repaired.
The pilot blamed the accident on high winds.
Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Rare Weather Warning Issued as Strong Gusts Fuel Colorado Wildfire Threats 
LA Fires Push Insurers’ 2025 Disaster Losses to $107 Billion 
Poorer Americans Dropped Federal Flood Insurance When Rates Rose 
Marijuana’s Move to Schedule III: What it Really Means for Cannabis Insurance 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.