Analysis from BBC Radio Devon’s sports presenter James
Exeter City Stadium Damage Confirmed After Accidental Fire
EXETER, England – Exeter City Football Club’s stadium sustained damage following a fire on Wednesday night, but officials have confirmed the blaze was accidental. The incident, which triggered an “extremely loud” and un-stoppable fire alarm that disturbed local residents, primarily impacted cabling outside the stadium building.
The fire prompted a swift response from emergency services, preventing more extensive damage. while the structural integrity of the stadium appears largely intact, the club faces a race against time to repair damaged electrical systems and restore functionality to the control room before the next scheduled home match on november 22nd against Burton Albion. The incident raises concerns about potential disruption to upcoming games and impacts club operations.
Club general manager Clive Harrison learned of the fire through social media and subsequent contact from the fire service.”The issues we may have are largely around the cabling because the cabling is on the outside of the building and some of that has been damaged by the fire,” Harrison stated. “There’s a lot of electrical work to have a look at… structurally it’s not too bad. There’s a lot of twisted metal maybe but it’s more the cabling to the control room that’s important to us now.” Harrison apologized for the disruption caused by the prolonged alarm, explaining it could not be silenced due to the cabling damage.
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell, upon viewing the initial social media footage, expressed initial concern. “When I saw the footage on social media I was really worried because it looked like the whole stand was on fire, but having been to the stadium thankfully it’s not as bad as it looked, albeit it’s still bad,” he told BBC Radio Devon. He praised the firefighters, stating, ”It could have been a lot, lot worse so thank you to the to the firefighters who came out and must have done an unbelievable job at keeping it contained and not letting it do do any more damage.” Caldwell acknowledged potential doubt surrounding the November 22nd fixture but affirmed the club’s commitment to preparing the stadium.
Exeter City Stadium Damage Confirmed After Accidental Fire
EXETER, England – Exeter City Football Club’s stadium sustained damage following a fire on Wednesday night, but officials have confirmed the blaze was accidental. The incident, which triggered an “extremely loud” and un-stoppable fire alarm that disturbed local residents, primarily impacted cabling outside the stadium building.
The fire prompted a swift response from emergency services, preventing more extensive damage. while the structural integrity of the stadium appears largely intact, the club faces a race against time to repair damaged electrical systems and restore functionality to the control room before the next scheduled home match on november 22nd against Burton Albion. The incident raises concerns about potential disruption to upcoming games and impacts club operations.
Club general manager Clive Harrison learned of the fire through social media and subsequent contact from the fire service.”The issues we may have are largely around the cabling because the cabling is on the outside of the building and some of that has been damaged by the fire,” Harrison stated. “There’s a lot of electrical work to have a look at… structurally it’s not too bad. There’s a lot of twisted metal maybe but it’s more the cabling to the control room that’s important to us now.” Harrison apologized for the disruption caused by the prolonged alarm, explaining it could not be silenced due to the cabling damage.
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell, upon viewing the initial social media footage, expressed initial concern. “When I saw the footage on social media I was really worried because it looked like the whole stand was on fire, but having been to the stadium thankfully it’s not as bad as it looked, albeit it’s still bad,” he told BBC Radio Devon. He praised the firefighters, stating, ”It could have been a lot, lot worse so thank you to the to the firefighters who came out and must have done an unbelievable job at keeping it contained and not letting it do do any more damage.” Caldwell acknowledged potential doubt surrounding the November 22nd fixture but affirmed the club’s commitment to preparing the stadium.