The atmosphere at the UK Athletics’ Indoor Championships was electric, with spectators and athletes eagerly anticipating top-tier track and field competition. However, an unexpected fire incident caused disruptions, leading to multiple reschedulings before the situation was brought under control. Despite the setback, the British Indoor Athletics Championships are now set to proceed as planned.

What Happened?

British Athletics issued a statement confirming the delay: “The start of the 2025 Microplus UK Athletics Indoor Championships has been delayed following an incident that required the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham this morning, Saturday 22 February.” The evacuation took place approximately 90 minutes before the first scheduled event.

The incident occurred at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England, on the morning of February 22, 2025. Initially, the indoor track and field events were set to begin at 11:25 GMT, but due to the fire-related evacuation, the schedule was revised twice—first to 12:25 GMT and then again to 12:55 GMT.

According to a BBC report, the fire originated from a cooker in the kitchen of a nearby flat. West Midlands Fire Service crews promptly arrived at the scene to manage the situation and ensure safety.

Olympic bronze medalist and commentator Katharine Merry shared real-time updates on social media, writing: “Not made it into the Utilita Arena yet. It’s been fully evacuated due to a fire. Fire brigade here and smoke coming from the top floor.” Despite the delay, the competition is now back on track, featuring some of Britain’s top athletes competing for national titles.

UK Athletics Indoor Championships is packed with the Olympic stars

British Athletics swiftly adjusted the schedule to ensure the safety of athletes, officials, and spectators. The first event, the women’s 60-meter heats, will kick off the championship. Just one week after the Keely Klassic, elite athletes like Laura Muir, Georgia Hunter Bell, and Neil Gourley are among the top contenders.

• Olympic silver medalist Katarina Johnson-Thompson will compete in the 60m hurdles and shot put, marking her second appearance since her triumph in Paris last summer.
• Middle-distance star Laura Muir will take on the 3000m event.
• Defending 1500m champion Georgia Hunter Bell, fresh off a near-record performance at the Keely Klassic, returns to defend her title.
• British indoor record-holder Neil Gourley will shift his focus to the 1500m.
• In the sprints, Bianca Williams and Amy Hunt will go head-to-head in the 60m.
• Lina Nielsen faces tough competition in the 400m, while Olympic relay medalist Alex Haydock-Wilson makes his first indoor competition appearance in two years in the same event.

The UK Athletics Indoor Championships will take place at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on February 22 and 23, 2025, featuring a star-studded lineup of Olympic and national champions. Now, are you wondering about how to watch it from your living room?

Fans can catch Saturday’s events live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Full coverage of Sunday’s events will be available on BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer, and online platforms. Additionally, a live feed will be accessible on desktop and mobile devices.

With safety measures in place, the UK Athletics Indoor Championships promise to deliver thrilling competition, despite the earlier disruption.