Queens haunted house reopens after being shut by city inspectors
Editor's note: The video above originally aired on Oct. 15, 2024
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – A haunted house constructed inside a Queens residence has reopened after it was shuttered by city inspectors for safety concerns.
A Haunting in Hollis, a long-running haunted house once visited by Nick Cannon, made its triumphant return on Friday after city inspectors said they found “a real horror show” inside.
“New York City’s #1 haunted house is back!! Now safer, yet still scarier than EVER!” owners said in a post to Instagram.
The Department of Buildings issued a full vacate order in early October and slapped the owners with thousands of dollars in fines. Inspectors said they found a plywood maze and staircases constructed without permits, city records show.
Owners immediately assured patrons they were working quickly to resolve the city’s issues. Since then, the owners have made a slew of safety improvements allowing it to reopen, according to the Department of Buildings.
The owners secured permits for the new staircases and structural work, upgraded fire safety infrastructure, added proper exit routes and covered up electric equipment with the help of an electrician, according to the Department of Buildings. Hired fire guards will remain at the haunted house while it operates.
Now, the haunted house is back open every day through early November. Its website advertises attractions like multiple walk-throughs with live actors, escape rooms and covered outdoor mazes. Tickets for a 30-minute walk-through are $30 with express tickets sold for $50. Attendees are asked to sign a waiver before entering.
The vacate order was not the first sign of trouble for the haunted house, which is facing multiple lawsuits over alleged injuries.
But many thrill seekers took to Instagram to celebrate its reopening.
“I've been waiting to go back. This is my [fifth] year. Each year it gets better,” one patron said.