The Toronto Raptors versus Indiana Pacers game has been suspended after a speaker caught fire at Scotiabank Arena during play on Saturday.
A fire chief requested that fans evacuate the arena, stating “there is no threat to public safety,” before announcing the game was suspended.
According to the Raptors broadcast, the crowd was evacuated because the fire’s location could require firefighters to approach the speaker from underneath, and it could fall.
A Raptors spokesperson described it as a “small electrical fire” above Section 103.
Play was suspended with 4:05 left in the first half, and the Raptors up 66-38. It is not yet clear when the game will resume.
Several sections of fans behind one baseline were initially evacuated and the game continued, but several minutes later, after fire officials gathered with referees and teams on the court, the players headed to the locker-rooms.
The Toronto Police say there are no reported injuries at this time.
With files from The Canadian Press.
