The start of the 2025 edition was moved back over an hour due to a fire-related incident at the Utilita Arena
The UK Athletics Indoor Championships were delayed after the Utilita Arena had to be evacuated due to a fire-related incident.
The action was meant to start at 11:25 GMT but that was pushed back to 12:25 GMT and then to 12:55 GMT.
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed a blaze had broken out in a nearby flat and later stated that a cooker had caught fire.
The incident took place around 90 minutes before the first event was meant to take place.
An update on the fire related incident which delayed the UK Indoor Athletics Championships this morning.
The event was scheduled to take place at 11.25am but will now begin an hour later at 12.25pm.
Over the weekend athletes will aim for UK titles and spots on the GB team for… pic.twitter.com/FbXFaL4FIe
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) February 22, 2025
British Athletics said: “The start of the 2025 Microplus UK Athletics Indoor Championships has been delayed by one hour, following an incident that required the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham this morning, Saturday 22 February.
“A one hour delay to the timetable has been agreed in order to athletes, officials and spectators adequate time to prepare for the day’s events.
“Spectators will experience a delay to the opening of the arena. There is currently no expected delay to Sunday’s timetable.”
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