A fire has broken out outside the Etihad stadium this evening. Footage and pictures taken online show the blaze close to a concession stand with huge crowds of fans watching on. Fire engines can be seen in attendance along with emergency crews. The blaze has broken out just hours before the UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge.

Fans had gathered in the area for a pre-match entertainment show which included on-stage interviews with January signings Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov. The show had already begun with women’s players Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama on stage at the time of the fire.

A fire engulfs a merchandise stand outside Etihad Stadium as fans gather before Manchester City's Champions League home game against Club Brugge.

An area outside the Etihad Stadium was evacuated after a merchandise stand caught fire ahead of Manchester City's Champions League game against Club Brugge tonight (29 January). The blaze broke out shortly before 6pm,

A fire outside the Etihad Stadium threatened to derail Manchester City’s preparations ahead of their final Champions League clash. The Citizens are preparing to face Club Brugge on Wednesday

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that journalists will have had their headlines ready following a fire outside the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.The Premier League champions

A fire broke out outside Manchester City ‘s Etihad Stadium, hours before a crucial Champions League match. An area outside the stadium was evacuated after a merchandise stand caught fire ahead of Manchester City’s game against Club Brugge.

Manchester City had to evacuate the Etihad Stadium when a pre-match event featuring their new signings ended with a stand catching fire before their Champions League game.

A fire on the perimeter of Etihad Stadium was extinguished on Wednesday as fans arrived for Manchester City's decisive Champions League clash against Club Brugge.