Huge fire rips through Exeter City FC football stadium
A fire has ripped through Exeter City Football Club’s stadium after a major redevelopment worth £3.4 million.
Flames erupted in the stands of St James Park late last night, prompting ahuge response from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Footage of the inferno shows plumes of thick black smoke rising from the scene.
The alarm was raised just after 10pm and a cordon was erected to keep Exeter City fans away.
Firefighters, meanwhile, were seen using hose reels to try and extinguish the flames and prevent them from spreading and taking over the entire stadium.
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A temporary building which houses the control room in the corner, between the away end and the Adam Stansfield stand at the St James Road and Well Street end, was seen on fire.
Exeter City FC confirmed that the incident happened and that a small area was damaged.
A statement from the club said: ‘We will be assessing the damage today and will update when we have more information.
‘Thank you to the members of the public who reported the incident and for the fast response of the fire crews who brought the fire under control preventing further damage.’
More than five fire crews attended the fire, fighting the flames for more than two hours to bring them under control.
In a statement, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: ‘A fire involving an electrical consumer unit in the football stadium spread to an adjacent portacabin and outside storage area.
‘60% of the portacabin was damaged by fire, and electrical cupboards and electrical intake also damaged by fire.
‘Fire crews used six sets of breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, one safety jet, hydraulic rescue equipment, two positive pressure ventilation fans and three thermal imaging cameras.’
Fire crews remain at the scene of the ongoing incident in the early hours of this morning.
The damage to the stands will be assessed, and the investigation will be concluded later today.
Exeter City fans quick to send the club their best wishes
Exeter City fans rallied behind the club as they woke up to the reports of the fire.
Brian Kennedy wrote under the club’s statement: ‘The fact nobody was hurt is what matters most. Hopefully it won’t cause us having to postpone or reschedule some of the upcoming home games.’
Sonya Rodrigues commented: ‘Glad they managed to get it under control well done fire crew.’
Ian Frankum added: ‘Lets hope it doesnt impact on the ability to operate at current capacity.’
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