Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service responded to a significant fire at St James' Park, home of Exeter City Football Club, late last night. The blaze erupted in the stands of the historic stadium, prompting a swift and large-scale emergency response.

Footage captured during the incident shows thick black smoke billowing from the stadium, alarming local residents and fans alike. A cordon was quickly established around the area to ensure public safety as fire crews worked to control the flames.

Exeter City released a statement this morning confirming that a small area of the stadium was damaged. The fire reportedly broke out in the corner of the stadium near St James Road and Well Street, affecting a temporary building that houses the stadium’s control room.

The alarm was raised shortly after 10pm, and more than five fire crews were dispatched to the scene. They managed to bring the fire under control within two hours, preventing further damage to the stadium.

In their statement, Exeter City expressed gratitude to the public for reporting the incident and praised the rapid response of the fire service. They stated, "We will be assessing the damage today and will update when we have more information."

The club has been based at St James' Park since 1904, making it a significant landmark in the local community. The assessment of the damage is ongoing, and further updates are expected as the situation develops. This remains a breaking news story as more details emerge.