It is common for cricket matches to be interrupted due to rain. There are even instances where games have been halted for other reasons, such as bad light, foggy weather, or pitch invasions. However, the Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes match at the Gabba witnessed a rare incident where the game was stopped due to a fire breaking out.
Fire in the Stands at Gabba Halts BBL Match
This incident occurred during the 4th over of the Hurricanes’ innings. It is believed that a short circuit caused a fire in the DJ booth, igniting the sound system. The booth was located right beside the big screen, making the fire immediately noticeable to everyone.
The match was promptly stopped, and the stadium staff worked to control the blaze. Although fire extinguishers were used, the fire proved difficult to put out at first. After some extra effort, the flames were finally brought under control a few minutes later.
Meanwhile, commentator Michael Vaughan quipped, “What has the DJ done?” To this, fellow commentator Brad Haddin responded with a witty remark: “He certainly lit up the place.” The third commentator in the box, Adam Gilchrist, was amused that the music continued despite the chaos. He then remarked, “Play delayed due to fire, I never thought I would see that.”
Play was delayed at The Gabba when a fire broke out in the stands. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/v2J2OktfuF
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2025
In this incident, no injuries were reported, and as soon as the fire was brought under control, the match resumed. The Hurricanes were chasing a massive total of 201 runs. The openers, Caleb Jewell and Michael Owen put together a brilliant 80-run partnership in just 6.5 overs, bringing them in a strong position.
Jewell played a fantastic knock of 76 runs, while Owen contributed with 44 runs. The remaining work was done by the middle-order batters, and the Hobart Hurricanes won the last-over thriller by 5 wickets. With their 7th win in 9 matches, Hobart surged to the top of the points table and secured a spot in the BBL 2024-25 playoffs.
