The concession stand filled with thick black smoke after a popcorn machine caught fire at the Lloyd Noble Center at the University of Oklahoma
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NEED TO KNOW
- A fire broke out during the Oklahoma-Georgia basketball game on Feb. 14
- The incident occurred during a media timeout only a few minutes into the game
- Oklahoma defeated Georgia 94-76
Hope you like your popcorn extra crispy!
Oklahoma defeated Georgia 94-76 during a Valentine's Day game on Saturday, Feb. 14, but only after a near "catastrophic" snack snafu occurred at the start of the matchup held at the 50-year-old Lloyd Noble Center.
A popcorn machine at a concession stand burst into flames during a media timeout only a few minutes into the game on Saturday, which saw Georgia leading 11-7 at the time. The fire caused a brief delay, pausing the matchup for approximately five minutes before play resumed.
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"It seems like we avoided a catastrophic situation," said ESPN broadcaster Kevin Fitzgerald, who provided live commentary of the situation as it occurred.
In a video now circulating online, the popcorn machine was engulfed by a bright orange ball of flames while thick, black smoke filled the air in the surrounding area. Fans who sat in the sections by the concession stand quickly got up and moved away from the area.
Security cleared sections near the fire, which was eventually put out by sprinklers. The Norman Fire Department responded as a precaution, according to local FOX affiliate KDFW.
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Officials said the fire was contained to the machine and did not spread beyond the concession section. The game resumed play after shortly after the flames were extinguished.
"There is a fire in a popcorn machine, it looks like. Everybody started clearing out. We can see the sprinkler overhead system is working right now," Fitzgerald said.
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Commenters on social media fired away their thoughts online in response to the now-viral video.
"Now that's what I call a 'heated' matchup! Someone took the 'pop' in popcorn way too literally. Glad everyone is safe, but what a way to delay a game!" wrote one X user.
"Popcorn machine said 'hold my butter' and turned into the real halftime show. Game delayed by snacks going full action movie mode. Only in college ball," commented another.
"A popcorn machine caught fire and delayed a whole basketball game 😭😭 that’s the most random thing to ever stop an NCAA game 💀🍿🔥," joked a third X user.
"I can smell that burnt popcorn from here…" quipped a fourth commenter.
The fire broke out at the Lloyd Noble Center, which is located on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. It serves as the home arena for the Oklahoma Sooners basketball teams.
Next, Oklahoma takes on the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
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