Firefighters tackle grandstand blaze at Huntingdon racecourse

Fire crews fought a blaze that broke out in the grandstand at Huntingdon racecourse on Monday.

According to Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service, more than 25 firefighters were involved in the incident.

The fire broke out around 2.40pm and the grandstand was evacuated. At 5pm the fire was reported to be extinguished.

Amy Starkey, regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: "The fire service was called to the site this afternoon after a fire started in a hospitality box.

"They arrived quickly and dealt with the incident, with the resultant damage contained to the area of hospitality boxes. There is no risk to any forthcoming racing fixtures."

An eyewitness told the Cambridge News: "Suddenly there was a lot of smoke coming out the roof. Then someone shouting ‘fire’ and then we went off to the muster point."

He added: "Everyone was really calm actually because we were all outside, but there were people inside. People were walked around the building so they could collect their cars. Once the fire was out they were let back on site to collect their belongings."

The racecourse holds its first meeting of the core jumps season on October 4.

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