Raptors-Pacers game resumes after evacuation due to fire

Mar 26, 2022, 5:37 AM | Updated: 6:44 pm

Firefighters and fire department officials stand on the court after play was suspended and the building was evacuated of fans, during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

A man rappels down to a group of speakers that hang from the ceiling of the arena after play was suspended between the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers and the building was evacuated of fans, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri watches during a suspension in play between the Raptors and the Indiana Pacers as firefighters work to evacuate the building during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

The NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers is suspended as firefighters work to evacuate the building, during the first half Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Firefighters and fire department officials stand on the court after play was suspended between the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers and the building was evacuated fans, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

The NBA basketball game is suspended between the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers as firefighters work to evacuate the building during the first half Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

A fire extinguisher is used on a group of speakers that hang from the ceiling of the arena after play was suspended between the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers and the building was evacuated of fans during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Play is paused between the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers as firefighters in the background clear a section of fans from their seats after it was reported that a loudspeaker had caught fire during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Play continues between the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers as firefighters in the background clear a section of fans from their seats after it was reported that a loudspeaker had caught fire during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors’ game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night restarted at 9:30 p.m., about 70 minutes after it was suspended in the second quarter and the arena evacuated because of a fire in a speaker hanging over the stands.

Players headed to their locker rooms with 4:05 left in the second quarter and the Raptors leading 66-38.

About a half-hour after the game was paused, a Raptors spokesperson said the team had consulted with Toronto Fire Services and hoped play could resume without fans in 30 or 40 minutes.

Shortly after that, two workers using ropes and harnesses hung from the ceiling and sprayed a fire extinguisher at the problematic speaker.

Remaining ushers and arena security staff cheered when the Raptors returned to warm up for the restart. The halftime break was cut from 15 minutes to seven and a half minutes.

Toronto guard Fred VanVleet, who missed two games earlier this month because of a sore right knee, did not return following the restart.

The Raptors played to no more than a few hundred fans at home games between Dec. 31 and Mar. 1 because of Ontario government restrictions related to the COVId-19 pandemic.

During the first quarter, two sections of fans behind the basket at the east end of the stadium were cleared and Toronto Fire Services personnel could be seen in the empty aisles, staring at the ceiling. Later, another section was cleared as the game continued.

Before long, video surfaced on social media of flames coming out of one of the speakers.

Raptors public address announcer Herbie Kuhn was heard testing the system multiple times, but the main speakers over the stands did not seem to be operating.

Eventually, Kuhn announced that the building was being evacuated at the order of Toronto Fire Services, telling booing fans that the game had been suspended.

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