Raptors vs. Pacers game suspended, Scotiabank Arena evacuated due to fire
The Toronto Raptors are so hot that they’re even making speakers catch fire in their home arena.
Their latest big win got delayed because of a fire in one of the speakers at Scotiabank Arena.
With 4:05 left in the first half of Saturday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers, the action was paused immediately upon the discovery of the fire. After some delegation, the crowd was asked to evacuate the building and the game was deemed suspended.
No injuries were reported and the game was slated to resume on Saturday night after the fire was put out and the court was properly cleaned up. The Raptors ended up winning by 131-91, though without fans in the stands.
— Ted Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) March 27, 2022
According to Raptors broadcaster Matt Devlin, a small electrical fire above Section 103 was detected, and though it didn't immediately pose any threats to public safety, officials became concerned that the speaker itself might fall from the ceiling of Scotiabank Arena, thus possibly causing injury to patrons in that area.
The sound system was shut down immediately, but initially only fans in 103 and the surrounding sections were evacuated and the game continued. Several minutes later, however, the entire game was halted with fans making their way to the exits and players and staff to their respective locker rooms.
Raptors game suspended. Wild. pic.twitter.com/pzBQVsbyWo
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) March 27, 2022
"By order of the Fire Chief, we are being asked to slowly and calmly evacuate the building," public-service announcer Herbie Kuhn told fans at the arena, who booed loudly and had to be asked to quiet down so Kuhn could continue. "There is no threat to public safety. ... The game has been suspended."
After firefighters descended upon the speaker and put out the fire, the court was cleaned up and teams took the court again to warm up before the game resumed for its last 28 minutes. Fans were not allowed back in the building and the team announced tickets would be refunded within 30 days.
Update on Raptors vs. Pacers. pic.twitter.com/bzlbvHly17
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 27, 2022
Help is here pic.twitter.com/Kaw721xEbN
— Kayla Grey (@Kayla_Grey) March 27, 2022
They're back out ....
Play will resume shortly.... pic.twitter.com/CRefU3o1zf— Eric Smith (@Eric__Smith) March 27, 2022
The Raptors were up on the Pacers by a score of 66-38 and ended up winning the game 131-91.
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