A major fire erupted in Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens late on Wednesday night, amidst ongoing renovations for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. The stadium, set to host critical matches including the India-South Africa game on November 5 and the second semi-final on November 16, witnessed the fire incident during its renovation process, as reported by local media.
The incident occurred around 11:50 pm, with groundstaff noticing smoke emerging from the dressing room allocated to the ‘away team.’ The dressing room was undergoing renovation at the time, with work taking place just outside. Reports indicate that the smoke originated from the false ceiling of the dressing room. Swift action was taken as two fire engines promptly arrived at the scene, successfully extinguishing the flames.
Eden Gardens is slated to host a total of six matches during the World Cup, with the second semi-final being one of the key fixtures scheduled for November 16.
Among the scheduled matches, India is set to face South Africa in a league phase match at Eden Gardens on November 5. The venue’s first match for the tournament is scheduled for October 31, with Pakistan taking on Bangladesh.
Despite the fire incident, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had conducted inspections at the venue just last week. While this unexpected event might raise concerns, it is widely believed that the preparations for the World Cup will continue without any significant disruption.
The fire incident serves as a reminder of the challenges involved in hosting major sporting events and the importance of swift responses to ensure the safety and readiness of the venues. As Eden Gardens resumes its preparations for the World Cup, cricket enthusiasts worldwide await the tournament with heightened anticipation.
