FIRE HORROR England game with Andorra WILL GO AHEAD despite plastic pitch being damaged after huge fire breaks out at stadium
ENGLAND'S World Cup qualifier in Andorra WILL GO AHEAD after the stadium caught fire on Friday afternoon.
Posted Saturday, October 09, 2021 by Thesun.co.uk
The blaze is thought to have started when sparks from welders, working on the gantry for TV coverage, caused the structure to go up in flames.
A blaze broke out at Andorra's stadium on Friday afternoon
Huge flames engulfed the TV gantry and dugout
Emergency services quickly put the blaze out
But not before substantial damage was caused Credit: PA
The fire spread to the home dugout and artificial turf at the side of the pitch but did not engulf the playing surface.
There was, however, fire debris on the plastic pitch and a small amount has been damaged by the extreme heat.
Part of the home dugout was melted away, while the VAR screen was destroyed. It's not believed anyone was injured.
Clouds of dark smoke billowed into the air and surrounded a block of flats overlooking the 3,000-seater stadium.
Firefighters soon arrived and extinguished the fire by 16:17 local time.
Andorra have confirmed the game will GO AHEAD as planned, despite the raging inferno causing substantial damage.
A spokesman said: "No personal harm has been reported, only material damage.
"The schedule will continue as planned and the match will go ahead."
The blaze happened just hours after England trained on the pitch and shortly after Southgate and Kieran Trippier completed their media duties.
Sky Sports presenter Rob Dorsett, standing on the other side of the pitch, was giving a live update on England's plans when the fire started.
Dorsett calmly said as the blaze broke: "Really worrying scenes and worrying times here."
The edge of the playing surface was damaged by the blaze Credit: Reuters
Part of the home dugout was melted Credit: Dan King - The Sun
He later added: "There was a very intense heat on that side of the stadium and I could see, as we left the stadium, that it had damaged the pitch.
"Only I would suggest a foot inside the touchline over there, but nevertheless damage to the pitch which will have to be assessed by officials before they decide whether it is safe and appropriate to play on that area.
"But perhaps the most important fact to report is that I understand no one was injured as a result of that fire.
"Nobody inside the stadium and nobody in the residential buildings above and behind it.
"Now it's just the practical damage and the implications for tomorrow's game which have to be addressed."
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