Wimbledon: 3,000 Evacuated After Electrical Fire at Centre Court
LONDON, July 2 (UPI) — The grandest tennis stage in the world, at Wimbledon, was evacuated late Wednesday after an electrical fire broke out at the facility, fire officials said.
The suspected fire at Wimbledon’s Centre Court was reported Wednesday evening and led to the evacuation of people at the All England Tennis Club and surrounding areas.
No flames were actually seen at Centre Court, ESPN reported, but the London Fire Brigade responded to the incident.
“Three thousand people have been evacuated as a precaution following a small fire in the plant room at Wimbledon,” the Brigade tweeted Wednesday.
A little more than an hour later, fire officials said the scene was again safe.
“Game set and match. The fire at #Wimbledon2015 tennis club is now under control,” the LFB tweeted later.
Wimbledon, the premier tennis tournament in the world, opened play Monday and has seen numerous players on Centre Court so far.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but no injuries were reported.
Wimbledon has experienced unprecedented heat at this year’s tournament. On Wednesday, a ball boy collapsed while standing in the extreme heat.
