NBA – The meeting between the Raptors and the Pacers interrupted after the start of a fire

The match between the Raptors and the Pacers was easily won by Toronto on Saturday (131-91). But this is not what we will remember most of a meeting that ended … without the spectators, evacuated in peace due to the start of a fire. The interruption, which lasted just over an hour, was decided in the middle of the second quarter of a game dominated by the Raptors (66-38). In question: flames coming out of the grid of one of the many speakers fixed to the ceiling, a few meters above the highest rows of seats in the room. The fire alarms then sounded.

“Due to an equipment problem, firefighters are asking everyone present to evacuate the building calmly via the nearest stairwell. There is no threat to public safety,” indicated the message transmitted on the giant screens of the hall, which can hold 19,800 spectators. « No injuries were reported, » the City of Toronto Police Operations Center added in a tweet. The Canadian franchise has promised that all tickets will be refunded within 30 days.

She added that work will take place in the room, but that it would be ready on Sunday for the meeting between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers in NHL (ice hockey). The meeting was finally able to resume and the Raptors confirmed their domination, thanks to Pascal Siakam (23 pts) and Scottie Barnes (19 pts).