Raptors-Pacers NBA game suspended because of fire, fans evacuated

An NBA game was suspended and the arena evacuated after a fire appeared from a speaker hanging over the spectators’ heads.

The venue was evacuated after the fire appeared.

The Toronto Raptors’ game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday AEDT was suspended in the second quarter and the arena evacuated because of a fire in a speaker hanging over the stands.

Players headed to their locker rooms with 4:05 left in the second quarter and the Raptors leading 66-38, the NY Post reported.

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About a half-hour after the game was paused, a Raptors spokesperson said the team had consulted with Toronto Fire Services and hoped the game could resume without fans in 30 or 40 minutes.

During the first quarter, two sections of fans behind the basket at the east end of the stadium were cleared and Toronto Fire Services personnel could be seen in the empty aisles, staring at the ceiling. Later, another section was cleared as the game continued.

Before long, video surfaced on social media of flames coming out of one of the speakers.

Video is circulating of a speaker on fire at Scotiabank Arena right now during the Raptors Pacers game. Toronto Fire is on scene, game is still being played. pic.twitter.com/zzK50bSDj6

— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) March 27, 2022

Raptors game suspended. Wild. pic.twitter.com/pzBQVsbyWo

— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) March 27, 2022

Raptors public address announcer Herbie Kuhn was heard testing the system multiple times, but the main speakers over the stands did not seem to be operating.

Eventually, Kuhn announced that the building was being evacuated at the order of Toronto Fire Services, telling booing fans that the game had been suspended.

The game resumed with no fans in the stands.

A firefighter uses a fire extinguisher on a speaker after a delay in the game. Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images

Toronto Fire begins to evacuate the arena. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Raptors-Pacers NBA game suspended because of fire, fans evacuated