Fire outside Etihad Stadium causes disturbance before Manchester City Game | Manchester City

An area outside Etihad Stadium had to be evacuated before Manchester City’s Champions League match against Club Brugge on Wednesday after a merchandise kiosk was fired.

Blaze broke out shortly before 7 p.m. 18, close to where Pep Guardiola’s city team had been due to entering the stadium around 10 pm. 18.30. Supporters had gathered in the area for an entertainment show before matching that included interviews on stage with January signatures Omar Marmoush, Vitor-in and Abdukodir Khusanov.

When the fire broke out, the show had already started with women’s players Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama on stage. The event was suspended when Flames grabbed the nearby kiosk. Stewards moved fans away before four services arrived at the stage, with the rest of the pre-match show was canceled.

The area was quickly evacuated by stewards and security staff, and a fire engine was on stage within minutes. The fire soon seemed to be brought under control. It was announced at 1 p.m. 18.22 that the stadium was open and fans could come in, but three input gates inside the enclosed area close to the stage were still closed.

According to local reports, the team used another input to access the stadium with West Stand reception closed. The game that the city needs to win to move on to the Champions League -Knockout scenes will start at 1 p.m. 20 GMT as planned.

A club statement read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that there has been a fire in one of the exterior merchandise kiosks located near the entrance to Colin Bell West Stand. Emergency aid services are present on stage and the fire is now extinguished.

“The security of all participation in the match tonight is our highest priority, and as such, all events planned for West Stand Reception have been canceled, including the welcome event for new players and the first team arrival.”

A later update from the club added: “All entrances are open and fans can move around Etihad Stadium as usual. Thank you for your collaboration. We can confirm that tonight’s match starts at 1 p.m. 20 as originally planned. “

It is not believed that anyone has suffered serious injuries in the incident. A statement from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Just before 7 p.m. 18 Tonight, two fire engines were called reports of a building fire involving an outbuilding in the parking lot on the football grounds on Rowsley Street, Manchester. “

“Crews arrived quickly on stage. Firefighters wearing breathing devices used two slang rolls to extinguish the fire, they currently dampen all hotspots and make the area safe. Firefighters have been present for about twenty minutes and are still on stage. “