Why the MCG fireworks display was cancelled

The firework display planned for the Melbourne v Western Bulldogs game at the MCG on Wednesday was cancelled last minute over a dispute about flammable cladding.

Fireworks were scheduled for halftime at Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at the MCG but were cancelled over concerns about fire risk. Picture: Mark Stewart

A fireworks display scheduled to light up the AFL season opener between Melbourne and the Bulldogs at the MCG was unexpectedly called off on Wednesday night over a dispute about flammable cladding.

The display, scheduled for half time, was cancelled after concerns were raised about the fire risk posed by aluminium cladding that covers part of the MCG’s Northern Stand.

The decision from Fire Rescue Victoria blindsided senior figures linked to the marquee game, with fans promised a halftime display as part of the marketing of the event.

One source said there had been no mention of the cladding — which has been deemed safe since audits in 2017 — being of concern until right before the game.

T20 Big Bash fireworks at the MCG.

The Victorian government has previously said the cladding at the MCG was not deemed risky.

High-risk cladding was removed from the Great Southern Stand and Northern Stand since 2019, with another section of cladding on the Northern Stand deemed low risk by independent fire engineers.

The Building Appeals Board is considering whether any further work is needed for this material but is currently considered to be safe.

“At all times the MCG has been deemed safe to occupy and all high-risk flammable cladding has been removed from the stadium,” a government spokesman said.

“The MCG has a range of fire safety measures in place including 24/7 security, smoking bans, permanent sprinkler systems, fire safety plans and numerous access and exit points.”

Fireworks have been let off since then, including at the Melbourne Stars v Hurricanes T20 match in January.

“We couldn’t figure out what the issue was and then we’re bewildered when we were told it was related to cladding,” the source said.

“There are lot of questions being asked now about how this direction from the Fire Rescue Victoria came about.”

FRV confirmed to the Herald Sun it raised concerns about the risks associated with a fireworks display at the MCG.

“FRV provided advice of a potential fire risk at the MCG if fireworks were discharged,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“FRV continues to work with stakeholders.”

Huge fire engulfs the Grenfell Tower early June 14, 2017 in west London. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas

A fire at the Lacrosse tower in Docklands in 2014 dramatically highlighted the risks of flammable aluminium cladding, as did a 2019 blaze at the Neo200 building in the CBD.

Fireworks have ignited aluminium cladding in the past, with Beijing’s Television Cultural Centre building bursting into flames in 2009 in a blaze started by a massive Lunar New Year display.

More than 70 people died in the Grenfell Tower blaze which tore through a block of flats in

London in 2017 that was clad in combustible aluminium composite panels.

The northern MCG grandstands were demolished and redeveloped from 2002 to 2006, in time for the Commonwealth Games.

The government banned dangerous cladding from new builds greater than two storeys in February last year.

The Victorian Cladding Taskforce, established in 2017, has identified hundreds of buildings as being at high risk of cladding fire.