A fire broke out outside Manchester City‘s Etihad Stadium, hours before a crucial Champions League match.
An area outside the stadium was evacuated after a merchandise stand caught fire ahead of Manchester City’s game against Club Brugge.
The blaze started shortly before 6pm outside the West Stand reception, close to where Pep Guardiola’s team had been due to enter the stadium at around 6.30pm.
One of the merchandise shops outside outside the Etihad has gone on fire – no injuries fortunately #MCFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/dHTW6hXOL0
— Chris Chambers (@Chris_Chambo_) January 29, 2025
Multiple fire engines attended the scene as crowds of hundreds of people were moved away from the area.
Wednesday’s match was considered to be crucial for Manchester City, determining whether or not they could stay in the tournament.
Supporters had gathered in the area for a pre-match entertainment show which included on-stage interviews with January signings Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov.
The show had already begun with women’s players Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama on stage at the time of the fire.
The cause of the blaze is still unknown but appeared to have been brought under control sometime after it had begun.
The remainder of the pre-match show was cancelled but the game was still due to begin at 8pm.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just before 6pm this evening (Wednesday 29th January), two fire engines from Blackley and Philips Park fire station were called to reports of a building fire involving an outbuilding on the car park of the football ground on Rowsley Street, Manchester.
“Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two house reels to extinguish the fire, they are currently dampening down any hotspots and making the area safe.
“Firefighters have been in attendance for around twenty minutes and are still at the scene.”
It was announced at 6.22pm that the stadium was open and fans could enter but three entrance gates inside the cordoned-off area close to the scene of the fire were still closed.
A message over the loudspeaker at the Etihad said: “The stadium is normal. Please enter the stadium as normal. However gates V, X and Y are closed this evening.
“Anyone from Gate Y to use Gate B and V or X to await further instructions. The area where the fire was is still closed off”
A post shared by Manchester City read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that there has been a fire in one of the outside merchandise kiosks, located near the entrance to the Colin Bell West Stand.
“Emergency services are present at the scene and the fire has now been extinguished. The safety of all attending the match tonight is our top priority, and as such all events planned for West Stand reception have been cancelled, including the welcome event for new players, and the first team arrival.”
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