New Delhi: A fire broke out at a merchandise stand outside the Etihad Stadium just before Manchester City’s Champions League match against Club Brugge on Wednesday. The incident happened around 18:00 GMT, near the entrance to the Colin Bell West Stand, as fans gathered for the club’s planned presentation of their January signings. The event had already started, with women’s players Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama on stage when the fire began.
Security staff and stewards immediately evacuated the area, and fire services arrived within minutes to bring the blaze under control. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that firefighters were working to dampen any remaining hotspots and secure the area. Fortunately, the fire did not cause any significant injuries or damage to the stadium. Despite the disruption, Manchester City announced that the game would go ahead as scheduled at 8:00 pm, with all entrances open and fans allowed to move freely.
Quick action from fire services
A food van is seen on fire outside the stadium before the match Action. (Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
Firefighters acted swiftly to contain the blaze, ensuring that the fire did not spread beyond the merchandise stand. The club also prioritised fan safety, cancelling the welcome event for new signings and the first-team arrival to avoid unnecessary risks. Men’s players Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov were expected to appear after the women’s players but were later seen arriving at the stadium separately.
Manchester City reassured supporters that the stadium remained safe and operational, with all scheduled activities apart from the presentation proceeding as planned. As reigning Premier League champions, City needed a win in this fixture to progress to the Champions League knockout play-off round. Despite the unexpected disruption, fans gathered in full voice to support their team in this crucial match.
The incident did not dampen the mood inside the stadium, and with safety measures in place, Manchester City’s focus remained on securing an important victory.
A fire broke out at a merchandise stand outside Etihad Stadium before Manchester City’s Champions League match against Club Brugge, forcing the club to cancel a planned new signings presentation. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
