Exeter Metropolis Soccer Membership investigation after fireplace at stadium

Dozens of firefighters attended the blaze amid fears it might unfold to the stadium’s stands

Josh Annetts Flames at the football stadium at night. — Dozens of firefighters attended the blaze amid fears it might unfold to the stadium’s stands

An investigation is being launched after a fireplace broke out at Exeter Metropolis’s stadium, inflicting some injury.

Firefighters tackled the blaze at St James Park after smoke was seen billowing from a portacabin close to the Properly Road finish of the bottom at about 22:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Devon and Somerset Hearth and Rescue mentioned the fireplace began in {an electrical} unit, earlier than spreading to a short lived constructing which homes its medical and management rooms.

By midnight, the fireplace had been extinguished, with air flow followers used to clear smoke. No accidents had been reported and the membership’s bosses thanked members of the general public who reported the incident.

The fireplace service mentioned the fireplace was threatening to unfold to the close by Adam Stansfield stand

A fire damaged portacabin. The metal is burnt and there are items on the floor black from the smoke. — The fireplace service mentioned the fireplace was threatening to unfold to the close by Adam Stansfield stand

The fireplace service initially despatched three crews, after which two extra because the flames had been “threatening to unfold to one of many stands”.

“Hearth crews used respiratory equipment and hose reel jets to stop the fireplace escalating,” a fireplace spokesperson mentioned.

Crews used a thermal imaging digital camera to establish hotspots and the place the fireplace had unfold. A spokesperson mentioned crews needed to enter the stand itself and use hydraulic instruments to realize entry to test if the fireplace had unfold.

The spokesperson mentioned: “There was a variety of smoke logging beneath the stand, however fireplace injury itself was fairly restricted to that space.”

An investigation is at the moment beneath approach, the fireplace service added.

Evaluation from BBC Radio Devon’s sports activities presenter James Vickery on the stadium

I am within the nook of the away finish which is the Adam Stanfield stand. It is the smallest stand out of the 2 right here at St James Park.

I am wanting up on the injury on the electrical station which is behind the management room and medical room.

Fortunately the fireplace is out however you possibly can see the injury and the charring of the Adam Stanfield stand – at one level firefighters had been involved it was spreading into the stand.

The medical room, which is subsequent to the large scoreboard at Exeter JCP, is severely broken as is the management room.

These are actually essential bits of matchday package. You’ll be able to’t run a soccer match with out a medical room and likewise a management room as properly.

Fortunately Exeter have away sport on Saturday as a result of it was at dwelling it would not have been to gone forward.

That is a extremely key a part of matchday infrastructure. It has been badly broken by this hearth.

The membership mentioned it might be assessing the injury on Thursday morning

A wide angle view of the control room and medical room at St James Park. There is fire damage to the ground, items and the stairway on the right. — The membership mentioned it might be assessing the injury on Thursday morning

A spokesperson for Exeter Metropolis Soccer Membership mentioned: “We might be assessing the injury right now and can replace when we’ve extra info.

“Thanks to the members of the general public who reported the incident and for the quick response of the fireplace crews who introduced the fireplace beneath management stopping additional injury.”

The following first staff sport scheduled for the bottom is on the 22 November after they host Burton Albion in a lunchtime kick off.