Merchandise stand catches fire outside Man City's stadium ahead of Champions League match

A merchandise stand caught fire outside Manchester City's stadium ahead of a Champions League game tonight.

An area outside the ground was evacuated and video online showed flames and smoke coming from the kiosk, which is located near the players' entrance.

The blaze started shortly before 6pm, close to where the team had been due to enter the Etihad Stadium at around 6.30pm.

Fire crews were on the scene within minutes and the blaze has since been brought under control.

The fire broke out near the entrance to the Colin Bell West Stand.

Fans had gathered nearby for a pre-match entertainment show that included on-stage interviews with their new January signings Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.

At the time of the blaze, the show had already begun with women's players Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama on stage.

The event was suspended as flames took hold of the stand and stewards moved fans away before fire crews arrived on the scene.

At 6.22pm, it was announced that the stadium and fans could enter, but three entrance gates inside the cordoned-off area near the scene of the blaze were still shut.

At the moment, the match is scheduled to kick-off on time at 8pm, as things stand.

City face Club Brugge as the new-look league phase of the Champions League reaches its conclusion tonight.

City, who are 25th in the standings, must win the game to make the knockout play-offs.

The remainder of the pre-match show was cancelled.

City said in a statement: "Manchester City FC can confirm that there has been a fire in one of the outside merchandise kiosks, located near the entrance to the Colin Bell West Stand.

"Emergency services are present at the scene and the fire has now been extinguished.

"The safety of all attending the match tonight is our top priority, and as such all events planned for West Stand reception have been cancelled, including the welcome event for new players, and the first team arrival."

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