Illinois Evaluating Safety Concerns After Fire at Memorial Stadium

The University of Illinois is evaluating whether it safe to host Friday night's football game against Nebraska after a fire broke out at the the school's Memorial Stadium Tuesday night. 

According to ESPN, the fire occured in the southwest corner of the stadium, away from spectator areas and there were no reports of injuries. 

The school's division of intercollegiate athletics will evaluate the facility Wednesday and "early indications are positive" that the game can be hosted without issue. 

HAPPENING NOW:

Fire crews are responding to a fire at Memorial Stadium on the U of I campus. WCIA crews on scene say Kirby is closed from First to Fourth.

Details to come. @WCIA3 pic.twitter.com/DqLNe5zdIL

— Amanda Brennan (@amandabrennantv) October 4, 2023

Champaign fire department spokesman Randy Smith told local media outlets that firefighters responded to the scene and found a utility vehicle and a riding mower on fire underneath the horseshoe section in the south part of the stadium. The blaze was easily extinguished, according to Smith. 

Memorial Stadium opened in 1923 and underwent a $121 million renovation in 2008. The school also completed upgrades to the east side of the stadium before the 2023 season.