Fire breaks out at major 50,000-capacity European football stadium during match as emergency services rush to scene

A FIRE broke out in worrying scenes at Sweden’s national team stadium as fans evacuated.

AIK hosted Djurgardens at the 50,000-capacity Strawberry Arena in Stockholm on Sunday.

The visitors led 2-1 after an action-packed start to their Allsvenskan league derby clash.

But with 25 minutes on the clock, the referee stopped play and the players headed off the pitch because of the fire in the stands – although they remained outside and did not return to the changing rooms.

It is unclear what triggered the blaze.

However, it possibly started due to flares inside the ground.

TV cameras quickly cut to the drama as fans cleared out of the way while the flames roared.

Dramatic photos then showed huge clouds of smoke billowing from the fire across the pitch.

Firefighters immediately rushed to the scene.

They used hoses to control the blaze and put it out as other security personnel kept supporters away from the danger.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

AIK’s head of security Henrik Koch confirmed the fire was put out without anyone being hurt.

Koch said: “No injuries occurred and the fire was extinguished.”

The match restarted after a few minutes.

Following the stoppage, Djurgardens added a third in first-half injury time.

However, there was another delay early in the second half when the home fans set off more flares.

This time, the players were taken off the field for an emergency meeting before the game resumed.

Match delegate Hans Larsson told TV4: “We have had a match meeting due to the second incident, which happened one minute into the second half.

“We had protruding pieces and then the regulations say that we should have a match meeting. It was a fairly effective match meeting.

“We have been given a green light by the police and the organiser. They have the situation under control.”

The league game eventually finished 4-2 as AIK’s struggling start to the season continued.

They are already eight points adrift of leaders Sirius having already played a game more.

The stadium, previously known as the Friends Arena, has been Sweden’s home ground since its opening.

In the national team’s first match there in November 2012, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored four goals in a 4-2 win over England – including that epic overhead kick.

Click here to read article