A massive blaze erupted at the Etihad Stadium just hours before Manchester City’s must-win Champions League clash against Club Brugge, throwing pre-match plans into turmoil and forcing fans to flee the scene.
Fire Breaks Out Near Stadium Entrance
The fire broke out around 6 PM GMT—just two hours before kickoff—at a burger vendor stall outside the stadium. Within moments, thick smoke filled the night sky, forcing security staff to evacuate the front of the stadium as emergency services rushed in to tackle the flames.
- 🔥 Blaze erupted near the Colin Bell West Stand entrance
- 🚨 Fans forced to evacuate as security scrambled to secure the area
- 🚑 Emergency services arrived swiftly and extinguished the fire
- ✅ No injuries have been reported—though confirmation is still pending
New Signings Unveiling Canceled Amidst the Chaos
City had planned to introduce their latest January signings—Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis—on stage outside the ground. But as the fire raged, the club immediately scrapped the event.
“The safety of all attending the match tonight is our top priority, and as such, all events planned for the West Stand reception have been cancelled, including the welcome event for new players, and the first-team arrival.” – Manchester City Official Statement
Will the Champions League Clash Still Go Ahead?
Despite the chaotic scenes outside the Etihad, there is still no official confirmation on whether the game will proceed as planned. Sky Sports News reports that authorities are still assessing stadium safety before giving the final go-ahead.
For Pep Guardiola’s squad, this was already a night of high stakes and mounting pressure. City’s Champions League campaign is hanging by a thread, with no wins in their last four European games and their qualification hopes in jeopardy.
- ❌ Lost 4-2 to PSG last match
- ❌ Fell 2-0 to Juventus in Turin
- ❌ Threw away a 3-goal lead vs. Feyenoord at home
- ❌ Humbled 4-1 by Sporting Lisbon
- ✅ Last UCL win: 5-0 vs. Sparta Prague (October)
With kickoff originally set for 8 PM GMT, all eyes are now on UEFA and emergency services to determine if the game can safely go ahead.
Is Manchester City’s Season Going Up in Smoke?
This latest off-field disaster is the last thing City needed in what has been a turbulent Champions League campaign.
Will Guardiola’s squad rise above the chaos—or will their season continue to unravel?
🚨 Stay tuned for live updates as the situation develops!