Fire breaks out at 50,000 European football stadium during bitter derby

A derby match in Sweden had to be suspended on Sunday after a fire broke out in the stands.

AIK hosted bitter rivals Djurgardens at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm with the latest edition of the Twin derby taking place at the national stadium in the Allsvenskan.

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However, with Djurgardens leading 2-1 in the first half, fans were evacuated from one of the stands.

It came after a fire broke out in the 25th minute, with the referee stopping play and removing the players from the pitch.

The players did not return to the dressing room, though, instead staying pitchside as smoke engulfed the stadium.

Although it is unclear how the fire started, flares had been used by supporters prior to the blaze.

Firefighters quickly rushed into the 50,000-capacity stadium to control the fire with hoses.

The blaze was soon put out without any injuries reported, and the match resumed after a few minutes.

Derby match suspended

There would be a further delay in the second half, though, as play was stopped once again.

On this occasion, it came after AIK fans had set off flares shortly after the interval.

The players were taken off the pitch for a second time, with an emergency meeting held before the match could resume.

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

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“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.”

Sunday’s match was the latest meeting of Stockholm rivals AIK and Djurgardens.

The two sides first met in 1899, having both been founded weeks apart eight years earlier.

Djurgardens went on to secure a 4-2 away win once the match resumed after the second delay.

The result leaves them fourth in the top-flight, three points behind leaders Sirius.

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Meanwhile, AIK are in ninth place after seven matches this season.

AIK have played at the Strawberry Arena since 2013, a year after the ground was opened.

The Swedish national team also play their home matches at the venue.