Football stadium evacuated after huge fire breaks out during match as smoke clouds pitch | Football | Sport
French football fans were forced to evacuate Stade de la Source on Friday evening when a huge fire broke out. The threat of toxic fumes saw supporters stream out of the stadium as the match between US Orleans and Valenciennes was halted.
Video footage posted to social media shows smoke billowing out of the refreshments area due to what appears to be a kitchen fire. The pitch quickly became covered in a thick, black fog as fans – many while covering their noses – climbed down from their seats.
The blaze hit top gear by the time firefighters arrived on the scene with amazed supporters watching on from a safe distance.
The away team, Valenciennes, notified their supporters of the delay by posting on social media. They wrote: “The second half cannot start due to a fire in the refreshment bar at Stade de la Source.”
US Orleans made the perfect start in front of their home supporters, with Fahd El Khoumisti converting from the spot inside three minutes. But they were pegged back midway through the first period when Nick Venema equalised. Match organisers halted the contest due to the fire with the score at 1-1.
Posting one hour after the fire first broke out, fan group Drouguis Orleans posted on X: “We would like to reassure the families of supporters who attended the match. Despite the violent fire still raging at the Stade de la Source, there are no serious casualties. All the public are currently leaving the stadium.”
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