A dramatic scene unfolded at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Wednesday when a merchandise kiosk caught fire just hours before a crucial Champions League match against Club Brugge. The incident occurred near the stadium's main entrance around 6:00 PM GMT, disrupting a planned presentation of the club's January signings.
The fire broke out while fans were gathering for a special event featuring new player introductions. Women's players Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama were on stage when the emergency situation developed, with men's players Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov scheduled to appear next. Stadium staff quickly evacuated the area as flames engulfed the kiosk near the Colin Bell West Stand entrance.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service responded promptly to the scene. In a statement released at approximately 6:30 PM, fire officials confirmed their crews were actively working to secure the area, "currently dampening down any hotspots and making the area safe."
Despite the alarming incident, Manchester City officials moved swiftly to ensure minimal disruption to the evening's Champions League fixture. The club posted an update on their social media platform X at 7:11 PM, confirming that the match would proceed as scheduled with an 8:00 PM kick-off. They assured fans that all stadium entrances remained accessible and normal movement around the venue was maintained.
While the welcome event for new signings and the first-team arrival ceremony had to be cancelled, the players were later seen arriving at the stadium as planned. The match carried significant importance for the reigning Premier League champions, who needed a victory to advance to the competition's play-off round.
The quick response from stadium staff and emergency services, combined with effective crowd management, ensured that what could have been a major disruption was contained with minimal impact on the evening's main sporting event.
