Fire Breaks Out Outside Manchester City's Stadium Before Champions League Match

A significant fire started at a merchandise stall located outside the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday, shortly before players were expected for their Champions League match against Brugge. Footage shared on social media captured the intense flames and smoke billowing from the stand, which offered club merchandise and was positioned near the players' entrance.

Due to the incident, a public appearance that was scheduled for new City signings Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis was canceled. Firefighters responded rapidly and managed to extinguish the fire; however, the lingering smell of smoke was noticeable to the fans waiting to enter the stadium.

A representative from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service reported that crews arrived promptly, utilizing breathing apparatus and two hose reels to put out the flames while ensuring the area was safe by cooling down hotspots. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported, and the cause of the fire remained unclear at this time.

In light of the fire, security personnel secured the area and restricted access to ensure the safety of supporters. Manchester City later released a statement emphasizing their top priority was the safety of everyone attending the match, leading to the cancellation of planned events in the West Stand reception, including the welcome for new players and the first team’s arrival. Ultimately, the match concluded with Manchester City defeating Brugge 3-1.