Fire broke out at the iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata late on Wednesday (August 9) night amid the ongoing renovation work that is going on at the venue ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023, slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
As soon as the fire was noticed, the working staff informed the fire department and they eventually doused it with the help of two engines. The unfortunate incident didn't involve any casualty.
As per reports, the fire broke out in the false ceiling of the dressing room where the equipment of the cricketers were kept. While the damage was not that severe, all the belongings of the players there were burnt. Initially, it was believed that a short circuit in the dressing room caused the incident.
The incident, meanwhile, has brought Eden Gardens’ infrastructure under the scanner with less than two months remaining for the 50-over World Cup.
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is likely to launch a probe to identify the cause of the incident. The renovation work is going full throttle at the renowned stadium with the fast-approaching showpiece tournament.
The officials have already inspected the venue once and they were reportedly satisfied with the pace of the renovation work. They are due to visit the ground again next month for one more round of inspection.
There are five World Cup 2023 fixtures scheduled at the Eden Gardens. The first of those five will be played between the Netherlands and Bangladesh on October 28. Pakistan and Bangladesh will square off in the second match at the venue on October 31.
The stadium will also host an India game when the Men in Blue will face South Africa on November 5. Pakistan will return to the Eden Gardens to take on England on November 11.
Eden Gardens will also stage the second semi-final of the World Cup 2023 on November 16.
(With India Today Inputs)