EXETER CITY’S next home game has been plunged into doubt following last night’s shocking fire at St James Park.
Five fire crews were required to tackle the fierce blaze, which erupted at around 10pm last night.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service confirmed that the fire began in an electrical consumer unit, before spreading to a Portacabin and outside storage unit.
This morning Exeter chiefs Clive Harrison and Richard Pym went to St James Park to assess the damage.
A subsequent club statement read: “The cause of the fire at St James Park which damaged a small area of the stadium is currently under investigation.
“The fire, which broke out in the St James Road and Well Street corner of the stadium, caused damage to the buildings which house the stadium’s control room and medical room.
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“Both areas have been damaged by the fire and the adjacent Adam Stansfield Stand has suffered some fire and smoke damage.
“The fire service believe it was an accidental fire and is investigating the cause, which has not yet been confirmed.”
Exeter are set to travel to Leyton Orient this weekend, with their next home game scheduled for the following Saturday against Burton Albion.
On whether the match will be able to go ahead, the Grecians’ statement continued: “The control room is critical to matchday operations, as it is where the safety team is based and the location from where the CCTV and supporters are monitored.
“We are working hard to ensure the home game against Burton Albion takes place on November 22 as scheduled.
“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.
“We will continue to assess the damage today and will update when we have more information.”
Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue added: “A fire involving an electrical consumer unit in the football stadium spread to an adjacent Portacabin and outside storage area.
“Sixty per cent of the Portacabin was damaged by fire, and electrical cupboards and electrical intake also damaged by fire.
“Fire crews used six sets of breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, one safety jet, hydraulic rescue equipment, two positive pressure ventilation fans and three thermal imaging cameras.”
The blaze was eventually put out just before midnight.
Ventilation fans were then used to get rid of thick smoke.
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