A devastating fire ripped through Exeter City Football Club's St James Park stadium on Wednesday night, causing significant damage to a section of the stands that had recently undergone a multi-million pound redevelopment.
Inferno Erupts at Historic Ground
The blaze erupted at approximately 10pm on November 12, 2025, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the night sky over Exeter. The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service responded with a major operation to tackle the inferno.
Footage from the scene showed intense flames consuming a portacabin located in the corner of the ground, between the away end and the Adam Stansfield stand at the St James Road and Well Street end.
Fire Service's Major Response
In an official statement, the fire service confirmed the origin of the fire. An electrical consumer unit within the football stadium is believed to have been the source, with the flames then spreading to an adjacent portacabin and an outside storage area.
The service reported that crews used an extensive array of equipment to bring the blaze under control, including: six sets of breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, one safety jet, and hydraulic rescue equipment. They also deployed positive pressure ventilation fans and thermal imaging cameras during the operation.
Assessing the Damage and Investigation
The fire resulted in substantial damage, with 60% of the portacabin destroyed by fire. Additional damage was caused to electrical cupboards and the electrical intake system.
The fire service has stated that a full assessment of the damage to the stands will be conducted in daylight hours. The investigation into the exact cause and circumstances of the fire is ongoing. The incident comes after the club had invested £3.4 million in a major redevelopment of its facilities, though it is not yet clear if the affected area was part of this specific project.
