Bernabeu stadium on fire as smoke billows from stand as workers build Real Madrid state-of-the-art new home

A FIRE has broken out at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

The famous old ground, home to Los Blancos since 1947, is undergoing a major £500million redevelopment.

But those plans were halted on Wednesday afternoon as a fire raged inside the stadium.

It is not known what caused the fire or whether anyone has been injured.

Huge plumes of thick black smoke filled the skies above Spanish capital as emergency vehicles sped to the scene.

Sizeable flames could be seen burning inside the stadium through one of the exposed parts of the construction.

Some onlookers were reporting on social media that the flames could be seen from vantage points in various parts of the city.

Spanish publication Marca reported the fire was quickly brought under control by the local fire brigade to prevent a major incident developing.

Madrid were granted permission to begin the major construction operation – which is due to be completed for the start of the 2022-23 season – at the 73-year-old venue in March.

Bizarrely, all the works will actually REDUCE the final capacity by one seat.

Amongst the changes, there will be a fully-retractable roof and even a 360-degree video screen that stretches around the entire ground.

Last year, Real Madrid shared another video showing-off computer-generated images of what the new Bernabeu should look like.

The clip also depicted spacious leisure and entertainment facilities that will be introduced as part of the makeover.

The club will extend the grounds of the arena to over 66,000 square metres.

It is reported that shops, restaurants and even a hotel will be added to the complex.

But the capacity of the ground will be reduced from 80,243 to 80,242.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk