Huge fire breaks out at Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua’s Hongkou Football Stadium

Mar 28, 2017

A HUGE fire broke out at Shanghai Shenhua’s football stadium this morning – the team for which Carlos Tevez turns out for.

Pictures and mobile phone footage now going viral on Chinese social media show a huge inferno raging and plumes of black smoke rising from the 33,000-seater stadium.

This was the scene that greeted firefighters when a fire broke out at Shanghai Shenhua's stadium this morning — This was the scene that greeted firefighters when a fire broke out at Shanghai Shenhua’s stadium this morning

Investigations are continuing, but it is thought the fire may have started at the rock climbing facility

Huge plumes of smoke billowed across east China this morning, causing a number of roads to be closed off

The authorities in Shanghai Municipality’s Hongkou District, in east China, reported that the blaze began at around 8.30am local time, burning through one end of Hongkou Stadium and stopping morning traffic nearby.

Keep up to date with ALL the FOOTBALL news, gossip, transfers and goals plus fixtures, results and live match commentary

Fortunately, no one is believed to have been hurt during the dramatic incident, with the fire brigade saying the flames were contained shortly after they arrived.

There are worries that the stadium may still be damaged for Shanghai's next home game on April 16 — There are worries that the stadium may still be damaged for Shanghai’s next home game on April 16

The fire was eventually put out, but there is a fair amount of damage to the Hongkou Stadium

It could prove to be a costly repair job - but the Chinese Super League club can probably afford it — It could prove to be a costly repair job – but the Chinese Super League club can probably afford it

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and have yet to give a clear indication of the cause. However, the police have revealed that they suspect the blaze may have started in the stadium’s indoor rock climbing facilities.

Shanghai Shenhua, who currently sit fourth in the Chinese Super League, are scheduled to host Changchun Yatai on April 16 and may need to play their home game at a neutral ground if the stadium is not repaired by then.

Hongkou Stadium was China’s first professional football stadium when it was opened in March 1999.

The Chinese Super League team has spent heavily to sign high-profile players in recent months.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip ahead of the January window with SunSport’s daily LIVE blog

Carlos Tevez became the world's highest paid player when he joined Shanghai Shenhua — Carlos Tevez became the world’s highest paid player when he joined Shanghai Shenhua

Fans were quick to point out that the clubs emblem remained intact - yet some wished it had been damaged too — Fans were quick to point out that the clubs emblem remained intact – yet some wished it had been damaged too

Carlos Tevez signed a two-year deal in December for a reported £75million while Senegalese striker Demba Ba, Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins and Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin also play at the club.

Shanghai Shenhua, who appointed Gus Poyet as manager last year, finished fourth last season, 16 points behind champions Guangzhou Evergrande.

After being knocked out of Asia’s top club competition in February the team felt obliged to apologise to fans.

One person wrote on China’s Weibo social network: “Grateful there are no civilian casualties. As for the Shenhua emblem, it’s best to burn it into ashes.

Others thought the fire could be a good omen for the national team, which beat South Korea last week to reignite a faltering World Cup qualifying campaign.

One wrote: “The fire is extinguished, the emblem is intact, this must mean the Chinese national team will rise from the ashes.”

Tags: Chinese Super League Football

Read More

COME ON YOU GRINNERS

TV TIMES

SIX OF THE BEST

deal me in

TV Times

Need for speedo

Leave a comment