7,500 to miss game over Lansdowne fire

AT least 7,500 ticket holders will be turned away from today’s rugby international at Lansdowne Road after a fire broke out at the stadium last night.

The whole of the North Terrace was cordoned off by IRFU officials after fumes were detected coming from smouldering combustible material directly beneath the terrace.

“It is possible that everything will turn out to be fine, but we cannot take even the slightest risk with our patrons’ safety,” a spokesman for the IRFU said last night.

“While we are very well aware that fans will be bitterly disappointed, we had to put safety first.” The spokesman added that stewards assigned to the area would be re-deployed to redirect patrons away from the site of the blaze.

The decision to close the North Terrace - better known as the Havelock Square end - followed consultation between the IRFU and the gardaí. Ticket holders for that area, which accommodates 7,500, will not be able to gain access to any part of the stadium.

An IRFU statement added: “The IRFU regrets the North Terrace closure and the disappointment and inconvenience caused and assures patrons holding tickets for that area that notices will be issued as soon as possible regarding procedures for a full ticket price refund.”

The North goal line area is not affected and ticket holders for those seats will gain access by the stated routes as indicated on tickets.

The IRFU spokesman said last night: “We do not know all the details at this time because it is impossible to tell by flashlight. We must wait until the morning for a full inspection.”