Stadium Fire Puts Exeter City's Next Home Fixture in Jeopardy
Exeter City have confirmed that a fire at their St James Park stadium was accidental, raising significant doubts over whether their next League One home game can proceed. The blaze, which broke out late on Wednesday evening, originated in a waste storage area, though the precise cause remains undetermined.
Key Matchday Facilities Damaged in Blaze
Firefighters were swiftly deployed to the scene and successfully extinguished the fire. However, the incident caused substantial damage to buildings housing the stadium's critical control room and medical room. The adjacent Adam Stansfield Stand also suffered from fire and smoke damage.
The club has emphasised that the control room is vital for matchday operations, serving as the base for the safety team and the hub for monitoring CCTV and supporters. This damage directly impacts the club's ability to host matches safely.
Race Against Time for Burton Albion Clash
Exeter City are currently working to determine if their scheduled home fixture against Burton Albion on Saturday, November 23, can take place at St James Park. Clean-up operations are already underway as the club assesses the full extent of the damage.
In a statement, the club expressed its gratitude, saying, "We are extremely grateful for the many messages of support and offers of assistance from local businesses and the wider community." They also thanked the fire crews for their fast response, which prevented further destruction.
The Grecians are away at Leyton Orient this weekend, providing a brief window for repairs and safety checks before the potential return to home turf.
