A fire breaks out on a merchandise stand outside the Etihad Stadium ahead of the Man City v Club Brugge Champions League fixture.
The incident occurred near the main entrance close to where Manchester City was presenting their new January signings a few hours before kick off. However, the fire was quickly extinguished by emergency services, ensuring that the match could proceed as planned.
The fire started in a merchandise stand near the Colin Bell West Stand entrance. The area was evacuated, and emergency services managed to control and extinguish the fire efficiently.
Despite the initial disruption, the game against Club Brugge went ahead with its scheduled 8:00pm GMT kickoff. There were no reports of injuries, and while some pre-match events were cancelled, the stadium was reopened for fans to enter, although certain gates remained closed due to the incident.
Fans were safely evacuated from the area where the fire occurred, and emergency services, including fire engines, were promptly on the scene to manage the situation. Social media posts from the time captured the incident and the quick response from the fire services.
The match was crucial for Manchester City, as they need a win to secure their place in the Champions League knockout stages. Despite the earlier chaos, the game proceeded without further incident.
A fire has broken out at the Etihad Stadium as Man City’s new players are welcomed on stage pic.twitter.com/36mEhuXH02
— Jam Williams-Thomas (@JamAntonioTV) January 29, 2025
A closer look at the fire at the #ManCity Merchandise stand at the Etihad Stadium. 😳 pic.twitter.com/L3Xm0OEvOt
— City HQ (@City_HQs) January 29, 2025
It looks like it a City merchandise kiosk that had the issue pic.twitter.com/ANYqcwQ5Wo
— Simon Bajkowski (@spbajko) January 29, 2025
MAN CITY STATEMENT:
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.
All entrances are open, and fans can move around the Etihad Stadium as per usual. Thank you for your cooperation.
Man City Fan Support (@ManCityHelp): “We can confirm that tonight’s match will kick off at 8pm as originally planned. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Etihad Stadium for tonight’s match.”
Manchester City FC writer for Manchester Evening News, Joe Bray, said: “City have cancelled the planned arrival of the first team bus at the normal West Reception due to the fire outside and it has gone into the stadium through the tunnel under the stadium.”
— AlAudhli 𝕏 العوذلي (@alaudhli) January 29, 2025
Fire crews arriving on scene at the Etihad #MCFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/U2cN3vExBM
— Chris Chambers (@Chris_Chambo_) January 29, 2025
The aftermath of the fire outside the Etihad Stadium tonight.
📸 @hazznewt pic.twitter.com/9DXgKO6Rbx
— Man City News (@ManCityNews2025) January 29, 2025
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 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 hose 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.”
Clouds of smoke was reportedly seen for miles, filling up the skyline.
Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis were due to be unveiled at the front of the Etihad Stadium, now it has been entirely cleared/evacuated due to an fire.
Twitter users reacted after a fire breaks out outside Etihad Stadium ahead of Man City v Club Brugge…
@RodriZens: Why does it look like someone set it on fire.
@engitweeter: If the idiot that did the first video had picked the fire extinguisher instead of his phone, there would have been no large fire. People have their priorities completely messed up…
@CityFan0909: Why does it like it was intentional.
@Nintendoubt815: How does that happen
@KennyKn12396688: CCTV will have it…the scum will be caught.
@_999WRLD: Looks someone set it ablaze, hope they catch whoever did it….
@12thmanstjohns:
Put your claim in for damaged merchandise
70 mill surely lost
@TMacsoprano: Why didn’t someone use a fire extinguisher??? @healthandsafety @manchesterfire
@ThomasKeane1973: Everyone loves a good conspiracy. A fire outside Man City’s ground on an evening they could go out of the Champions League has to be the club looking for an advantage in getting their last game delayed so they know what they have to do after the other games have finished.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login