The Imps’ League One rivals Exeter City are assessing damage at St James Park after a late-night fire tore through a temporary building that houses the stadium’s control and medical rooms.
Smoke was seen coming from a portacabin near the Well Street end at about ten o’clock on Wednesday evening, prompting a significant emergency response.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said the blaze started in an electrical unit before spreading to the temporary structure. An initial three crews were sent, with a further two called as flames threatened the Adam Stansfield Stand.
Firefighters used breathing apparatus, hose reels and thermal imaging equipment to bring the incident under control, with the fire out and smoke cleared around midnight.
Crucially for City and the rest of League One, none of the four permanent stands were damaged, and no injuries were reported.
BBC Radio Devon reports that the medical room and control room have both been severely damaged, and had the Grecians been at home this weekend, their game would likely not have gone ahead. Instead, they travel to London to face Leyton Orient.
Focus for staff will now switch to restoring key matchday infrastructure before their next home fixture against Burton Albion on 22 November.
“Exeter City Football Club can confirm a small area of the stadium was damaged by fire last night… We will be assessing the damage today and will update when we have more information.”
There has been a ground on the site of St James Park since the 17th century, but it was used for shows and for housing pigs. It became their home in 1901, and in 1904 was permanently allocated to football.