During the National 1 league match (officially known as the National 1) between Orléans and Valenciennes, which kicked off at 1:30 AM on August 24, the game had to be interrupted due to a sudden fire that broke out in the stands during halftime.
The first half of the match ended with both teams tied at 1-1. At halftime, heavy smoke started to fill the stadium because of the fire. The initial source of the fire was a snack stand within the stadium. Both teams promptly halted the match, and following a joint decision by the referee and officials present, the game was stopped.
The stadium where Orléans plays its home games is the Stade de la Source, which has a maximum capacity of 7,533 spectators. The attendance for this match was not particularly high. After the fire broke out, fans quickly moved away from the affected area, averting any tragedy.
In an official statement, Orléans’ website noted: “Before the resumption of the second half, a fire broke out at the snack stand. Based on the decision of the referee and the organizing committee, the match was halted. The remaining part of the match will be replayed on another date. There are no reports of casualties at this time, and the club made efforts to evacuate all individuals present at the Stade de la Source, with operations running smoothly.”
The cause of the fire, whether accidental or intentional, is currently under investigation by relevant parties.