A merchandise stand outside the Etihad Stadium has burst into flame just hours before Manchester City’s Champions League game against Club Brugge.
The blaze broke out in the supporters area outside the stadium shortly before 6pm, close to where Pep Guardiola’s City team had been due to enter the stadium at around 6.30pm.
Fans had gathered in the area for a pre-match entertainment show which included on-stage interviews with January signings Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.
The show had already begun with women’s players Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama on stage at the time of the fire.
But it was quickly suspended as flames took hold of the stand, and stewards ushered fans away from the fire before emergency services arrived on the scene.
The area was quickly evacuated by stewards and security staff and a fire engine was on the scene within minutes.
It is unknown at this stage whether the incident will affect the scheduled kick-off time of 8pm.
The fire soon appeared to be brought under control.
It was announced at 6.22pm that the stadium was open and fans could enter but three entrance gates inside the cordoned-off area close to the scene of the fire were still closed.
The remainder of the pre-match show was cancelled.
