New Year’s Eve grass fire rips through busy park after A-League match sending revellers running for safety
Thousands of revellers have had to run for safety after an A-League football game on Tuesday night as a grass fire ripped through a busy park.
The match between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City had just finished and the crowd of around 11,000 in the Industree Group Stadium in Gosford were heading home.
There were also revellers in the area to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks at Leagues Club Park and the waterfront.
‘We were just leaving the Mariners game with the kids and there was a big bang like a fire cracker,’ a witness told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Then within a few minutes the kids playground area was on fire.
‘It was full of families just moments earlier.’
Police officers who were on site working at the A-League game and the general New Year’s Eve festivities were able to soon clear the area as people fled away.
Thousands of revellers have had to run for safety after an A-League football game on Tuesday night as a grass fire (pictured) ripped through a busy park
The NSW Police cleared the scene of a fire at Leagues Club Park in Gosford (pictured)
‘Luckily the police were right there, having already blocked the road for the fireworks,’ the witness said.
‘They told everyone to evacuate immediately.’
The witness said the sheer throng of people in the area caused some difficulties.
‘The traffic was back to back so it did take the fire truck a while to get through,’ they said.
Football commentator Simon Hill tweeted that ‘On the way out of CC (Central Coast) Stadium – vegetation has set on fire just outside the CC Leagues Club…
The football game ended in a 1-1 draw. The stadium’s screen is pictured showing the result
‘Roads blocked off…could be a long journey home!’
Hill later added that the ‘Likeliest explanation is a stray firework from the 9pm display.
‘Was put out very quickly & we all got out within 25mins. Good job, firies!’
A police investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.
The football game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Samuel Souprayen given Melbourne City the lead in the 33rd minute and Nathan Paul equalising for the Mariners in the 68th minute.
The result has seen City move up to fifth place on the A-League ladder, while Central Coast remain stuck in 10th despite picking up a point.
Though the draw, and the fire close to their stadium, was not the ideal end of the year for the Mariners, the club issued a message on X just after midnight local time, as 2024 ticked into 2025.
‘Wishing you a very Happy New Year, Mariners Family!,’ it said.
‘Thank you for your incredible support during a historic and unforgettable 2024.’
