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The cause of the fire at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium has been confirmed

It was put out in a little over an hour.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 31st January 2025

The cause of the fire at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium earlier this week has now been revealed.

Man City‘s European fixture against Club Brugge was at risk of being postponed on Wednesday night after a stand inside a merch kiosk set alight whilst fans were still waiting outside the ground.

Footage of the small fire which soon turned into a significant blaze was shared countless times across social media almost immediately, naturally causing plenty of concern for supporters and the club alike.

The incident also saw people speculating as to what sparked it and now a couple of days after the fact, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has confirmed the cause of the fire.

Although many were all too quick to blame the travelling opposition fans, with some even suggesting that supporters from a rival club had intentionally set the fire, arson has been ruled out by GMFRS.

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Issuing an official statement to media outlets, the emergency service said: “At around 6pm on Wednesday 29 January, two fire engines from Blackley and Phillips Park fire stations were called to an incident involving a fire and a merchandise unit at the Etihad Stadium, Rowsley Street.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus arrived quickly and used two hose reels to extinguish the fire which was caused by some clothing accidentally falling onto an electric heater. Crews left the scene after approximately 75 minutes.”

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Fortunately, the area was sufficiently cleared as soon as the fire was detected and no one was harmed during the incident.

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The fire also wasn’t severe enough to delay the start of the game either, with the Blues going on to notch a crucial 3-1 win to make it into the Champions League playoff.

City will now face either 15-time UCL victors Real Madrid or Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich – who also have half a dozen to their name – in the next round.

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Whether they or not they make it past that point into the remainder of the knockout phase, we’ll have to wait and see but the quadruple-winners look to be regaining their form.

If you still have watched the game back, you can find the highlights from the game down below:

The Etihad fire didn’t cause any problems on the pitch – Pep Guardiola’s side looked to get back on track in the second half.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Harry Newton (supplied)/The Manc Group

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Touching tribute paid to Manchester woman who died after horrifying fall on Snowdonia mountain

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Touching tribute paid to Manchester woman who died after horrifying fall on Snowdonia mountain

A touching tribute has been shared after a woman from Manchester died in a 65ft fall on a mountain in Snowdonia.

Maria Eftimova, a former University of Salford student, died from her injuries after falling into steep terrain during a group hike.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue ‘did everything within their powers’ to save the 28-year-old after the tragic incident, but she sadly died.

A fundraising appeal has now been launched by her loved ones to cover the ‘significant financial burden’ of having Maria repatriated to her family in Bulgaria.

In the fundraiser, organiser Victoria Critchley paid a touching tribute to Maria, describing her as ‘ambitious, bright and cherished’.

It reads: “We are reaching out with heavy hearts to ask for your support for the family of Maria Eftimova. Our dear friend tragically lost her life in an accident whilst scrambling Tryfan on Saturday 22nd of February 2025.

“Maria was an ambitious, bright and cherished 28 year old, whose vibrant personality, energy and aura touched and uplifted all around her. She had a passion for engineering, having studied Civil Engineering at the University of Salford and a love for extreme sports.

“Her biggest passion being Snowboarding, which she was super excited for and looking forward to doing again on her upcoming trip to Austria.

“She had an insatiable thirst for life and exploring our world’s beauty. Tragically, she was taken from her family far far far too soon!

Touching tribute paid to Manchester woman who died after horrifying fall on Snowdonia mountain
Touching tribute paid to Manchester woman who died after horrifying fall on Snowdonia mountain. Credit: GoFundMe

“Words cannot express the devastation her family and our community are experiencing.

“Adding to their immense grief, the family, who reside in Bulgaria, face a significant financial burden to repatriate Maria and give her the dignified farewell with her loved ones that she deserves. The costs associated with international repatriation are substantial, and we want to alleviate the added burden/stress so they can focus on mourning their precious daughter.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a tangible difference in enabling the family to grieve without this added worry. Please join us in offering them comfort and support during this incredibly difficult time.

“By sharing human kindness through even the tiniest donation, we can demonstrate that they are not walking this path alone. Any and all donations made will go to Maria’s family.

“Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue attended and did everything within their powers to save Maria. We’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude for their efforts and will create a separate fundraiser.

“Thank you for your kindness and generosity. With love from Maria’s friends and Family.”

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue said: “A group was ascending the north-ridge when one of them fell 20 metres into steep terrain. Passers-by with climbing equipment abseiled down and made her safe, and a team member already nearby made his way down and started CPR.

“Colleagues from @welshambulanceservice stood by at base while the @maritimecoastguard helicopter dropped team members onto the mountain.

“Unfortunately, the casualty had not survived her injuries, and she was brought down to Oggie base.”

You can donate to the fundraiser HERE.

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Featured image: GoFundMe

News

Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Street Eat Rochdale

Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.

Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.

Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.

More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.

Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.

Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.

The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.

As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.

Street Eat Rochdale
The Great Staircase at Rochdale Town Hall
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council

In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.

This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.

You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.

Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council

“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.

“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.

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“We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”

Featured Image – Rochdale Council

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