Exeter City Football Club investigation after blaze at stadium

An investigation is being launched after a fire broke out at Exeter City’s stadium.

Firefighters tackled the blaze at St James Park after smoke was seen billowing from a portacabin near the Well Street end of the ground at about 22:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said the blaze started in an electrical unit, before spreading to a temporary building.

By midnight, the fire had been extinguished, with ventilation fans used to clear smoke. No injuries were reported and the club’s bosses thanked members of the public who reported the incident.

The fire service initially sent three crews, and then two more as the flames were “threatening to spread to one of the stands”.

“Fire crews used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to prevent the fire escalating,” a fire spokesperson said.

An investigation will be concluded in daylight hours, the fire service added.

The football club said the temporary building housed the control room and a small area of the stadium was damaged by fire.

A spokesperson for Exeter City Football Club said a small area of the stadium was damaged.

They added: “We will be assessing the damage today and will update when we have more information.

“Thank you to the members of the public who reported the incident and for the fast response of the fire crews who brought the fire under control preventing further damage.”