Fire breaks out outside Etihad as fans evacuated and emergency services called before Man City’s Champions League clash
Fire breaks out outside Etihad as fans evacuated and emergency services called before Man City’s Champions League clash
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A FIRE has broken out just outside the Etihad in front of thousands of fans only hours before Manchester City's Champions League clash. The Premier League champions host Club Brugge needing a win to guarantee qualification into the knockout stages. But footage just hours before kick-off showed a merchandise van outside the stadium on fire.
![[Firefighters extinguishing a fire at a merchandise kiosk outside a stadium.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/merchandise-store-fire-game-manchester-967607782.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Fire trucks and ambulances were seen also rushing to the scene as thousands of fans looked on in shock. The surrounding area was evacuated as emergency services put out the fire - as the club released a statement. It read: "Manchester City FC can confirm that there has been a fire in one of the outside merchandise kiosks, located near the entrance to the Colin Bell West Stand.
![[Merchandise kiosk engulfed in flames outside a stadium.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fire-nearby-merchandise-kiosk-outside-967607708.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"Emergency services are present at the scene and the fire has now been extinguished. "The safety of all attending the match tonight is our top priority, and as such all events planned for West Stand reception have been cancelled, including the welcome event for new players, and the first team arrival.".
![[Merchandise stall on fire outside a stadium.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/merchandise-stall-fire-outside-stadium-967607657.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis were all due to be unveiled until the area was evacuated. And City's team bus usually arrives in between a huge crowd of fans - but this was also scrapped. Supporters had been preparing to get themselves inside the stadium in a bid to cheer on hosts.
![[Merchandise stall fire outside a stadium.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/merchandise-stall-fire-outside-stadium-967608458.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
City sit 25th in the new-look League Phase table - just outside the top 16 play-off spots. To progress, Pep Guardiola's side must win due to goal difference of the teams around them. The top eight automatically qualify for the last 16 and are joined by the winners of a play-off round between those that finished ninth to 24th.
![[Fire destroys a merchandise outlet outside a stadium.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-fire-destroys-merchandise-outlet-967609878.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
