UK Indoor Championships delayed after Utilita Arena evacuated

After the Utilita Arena was evacuated on Saturday morning, the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham were delayed by 90 minutes.

A cooker caught fire in a nearby apartment, according to West Midlands Fire Service, and crews were dispatched to the scene.

Katharine Merry, an Olympic bronze medalist and commentator, wrote on X: “Not yet in the Utilita Arena. Due to a fire, it has been completely evacuated. Smoke and fire from the top floor are visible from this building.

On social media, UK Athletics claimed that the venue’s opening “would experience a delay.”

Due to the delay, the two-day championships won’t begin until 12:55 GMT because the broadcast is being live.

Georgia Hunter Bell and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, both of whom compete for British titles this weekend in Birmingham.

Johnson-Thompson, who ended her wait for an Olympic medal with heptathlon silver at Paris 2024, will participate in the 60m hurdles and shot put events.