Fire Delays Start of British Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham

The Utilita Arena was evacuated due to a kitchen fire, pushing the event schedule back by one hour.

A fire originating from a kitchen in a nearby flat caused the evacuation of Birmingham's Utilita Arena on February 22, 2025, delaying the start of the British Indoor Athletics Championships.
The event, initially scheduled to begin at 11:25 GMT, was rescheduled to start at 12:25 GMT after safety measures were implemented.
British Athletics confirmed the delay, emphasizing the need to ensure adequate preparation time for athletes, officials, and spectators.
The championships serve as trials for the European Athletics Indoor Championships and feature prominent athletes, including Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Laura Muir, and Neil Gourley.
Live coverage of the event is available on BBC platforms, with Saturday's events streamed on BBC iPlayer and Sunday’s events accessible via BBC Red Button and other online platforms.