AN ITALIAN football match has been delayed due to a fire in the dressing room.
The top-flight Serie A clash between Empoli and Lecce was due to kick off at 6.30pm local time.
GettyFirefighters were on the scene at Empoli’s stadium after the fire broke out[/caption]
However, it was pushed back by an hour after a short circuit caused a small blaze in the home changing room.
Video footage of a fire engine outside the stadium and firefighters going on circulated on social media.
Both sets of players and coaches were evacuated to safety as the emergency services got the fire under control.
However, the fact that the fire was electrical means a full investigation is required before they get the green light to allow thousands of people into the 16,800-capacity Stadio Carlo Castellani.
Empoli stars raised the alarm when they could smell burning in the dressing room an hour before kick-off.
DAZN report they noticed it was coming from the panels in the ceiling and was spreading quickly.
The media only became aware of a problem when Empoli player Tommaso Baldanzi used the toilet in the press area.
And with 20 minutes to go before the original scheduled start time, visiting Lecce players strolled around on the pitch in flip-flops and trainers rather than their boots.
Empoli and Lecce go into the game knowing a win for either side would mean a huge step towards Serie A survival with ten games to go.
The hosts currently sit 14th on 28 points while Lecce are two places and a point behind.
Verona occupy 18th with 19 points, six from safety, while Sampdoria and Cremonese look destined for the drop.
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GettyThe fire was started by a short circuit in the home dressing room[/caption]
GettyEmpoli players raised the alarm when they could smell burning[/caption]
GettyLecce staff waited on the pitch for more news[/caption] Read More