English stadium set on fire in ‘deliberate’ attack as footage goes viral

An English stadium was set on fire in a ‘deliberate’ attack as footage goes viral overnight, leaving many viewers shocked.

A fire has damaged part of the stadium used by the women’s team of Premier League outfit Everton at Walton Hall Park.

The fire service was called to deal with the incident at 6.24pm on Friday, with scaffolding and plastic netting alight. Footage on social media showed a section of the home stand ablaze.

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— SG 💙 (@sgefc21) March 12, 2021

A fire investigation officer attended the scene and the police were also asked to attend.

It is understood that Everton are hopeful Wednesday’s game against Chelsea in the Women’s Super League will go ahead as planned, talks are still ongoing however.

Everton moved to the ground from Southport in the summer and had been planning to increase the capacity from 2,000.

A statement from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service read: “Firefighters were called to Walton Hall Park on Friday 12th March.

“Crews were alerted at 6.24pm and on scene at 6.30pm. Two fire engines attended.

“On arrival crews found a football stand to be well alight. Firefighters used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

“Crews left the scene at 6.57pm and handed the incident over to Merseyside Police.”

The Merseyside Police force’s investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Fans reacted after seeing the English stadium set on fire…

@lynsey1878: Bloody hell

@SSearson: That’s dreadful.

@PaulDonegan1980: What is actually wrong with some people?! I have seen that some non-league grounds have been vandalised over recent months and now this!

@PREZY29: Carlo and Olsen robbed. Walton Hall being set on fire. I wonder if these are all ‘coincidence’

@TheGoche: Damn this is gross. Women’s teams ignored for years, a few clubs finally start to invest in them and some asshole tries to burn down Everton Women’s purpose-built grounds.

@ste_finn: WTF!! Horrible little cunts!! Absolutely disgusting

@jpfootball: God, this is grim

@ozozinanir: what is actually going on anymore

@ungi_paul: What is wrong with people?

@Fordyla: Dick heads whoever did this

@SamChristy1878: Carlo’s house – Olsen’s house – Now the women’s stadium? What’s going on??

@JMeyler87: Absolute scumbags

@AndrewMilington: What the hell would possess someone to do this?! Shameful.

@WendyFreckles: AAAGH MINDLESS. Hate seeing this sort of stuff.

@monicaraefit: What the actual f*ck?!

@Raheil_m94: Jealousy seems strong. A new stadium and this happens.

@RMTVWomensPod: Terrible news. Rivalry aside this is beyond unacceptable.

@_JosephRoberto: Awful news. Why would someone even want to do this? So cowardly.Best wishes to everyone at @EvertonWomen. Hopefully whoever did this is brought to justice as soon as possible.

@katelyn_tig: Deliberately too yet, unbelievable. The only way to stop women’s football is by trying to burn it down? Jokes on whoever did this, only going to come back stronger. The way the #woso community will come together to support @EvertonWomenwill astound you. #neverthelessshepersisted

@Record_Peddler: What does that say about society!

@MottysMic: Mindless as. I just dont get this. Isn’t Walton Hall Park also the headquarters of the Liverpool County FA too. Hurting more than just a team, or a club its hurting a community. I so hope the culprits are caught

@atticusfinch104: this is such terrible news

@ItsMe_Chris: Devastating! Only a pathetic loser would do something like this. I hope Karma comes quick.

@lucyefcf1: This is disgusting. Hope they catch the little rats.

It comes a week after a non league club were left devastated as part of their stadium was set on fire in an apparent arson.

The culprits broke into and have destroyed two porta cabins which had contained charity donations and sports equipment at the Wirral based football club.

Club officials at West Kirby FC were shocked and disheartened by the destruction left at its ground at Greenbank Road, that caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Wirral Globe confirm that one of the cabins contained hundreds of pounds worth of charitable donations that were to be sold to raise funds for the charity Wirral Hospice St John’s.

In the other one, it contained some floodlight equipment and a new boiler which was to installed in the clubhouse once the current restrictions were lifted.

The fire engines were called to the non league club last week after smoke was spotted drifting across the site by a neighbour.

The debris has since been cleared, and now West Kirby are hoping to replace the porta cabins in the next few months. 

Club official John Kearney described the incident as “devastating”.

Car boot sales at the Greenbank Road ground are a vital part of the club’s activities and have raised thousands of pounds for Wirral Hospice St John’s, which provides free care for adult patients with life-limiting illnesses.

John Kearney told the Globe: “Obviously, we don’t know who has done this; could have been adults or kids. 

“It’s just mindless vandalism and will have a massive impact not only on the football club but on our charities, particularly Wirral Hospice St John’s, which is our designated charity.

“One of the porta cabins had contributions for St John’s Hospice on it, so for someone to see that and set fire to is just terrible. 

“The hospice won’t lose out because of this, even if I have to give them the money myself.”

Merseyside Fire & Rescue service said in a statement: “Firefighters were called to West Kirby Football Club on Greenbank Road.

“Crews were alerted at 6.20pm and on scene at 6.26pm. Three fire engines attended.

“On arrival crews found a fire involving two portacabins.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

“Crews left the scene at 8.33pm.”