Fire Erupts at Brazil Stadium That Hosted World Cup Games

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A fire at a Brazilian stadium that hosted World Cup games in 2014 caused damage and left some people suffering from smoke inhalation on Saturday, January 30th.

The blaze at Castelão Arena in the northeastern city of Fortaleza, capital of Ceará state, apparently was sparked by a short circuit in the broadcast area, according to the fire department, though spokesman Col. Oscar Neto said the cause would be investigated.

Television images showed flames and a column of black smoke rising above the stadium.

Tho people needed needed medical assistance for smoke inhalation, but no one was hospitalized. The extent of the damage was not immediately known.

The stadium hosted six games during the World Cup including Brazil’s 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Colombia. Other teams that played there were Uruguay, Costa Rica, Mexico, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Ivory Coast and Mexico.

The stadium has a capacity of more than 60,000 and is home to top-division soccer teams Ceará and Fortaleza.

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