FIRE FEARS
Emergency services rush to blaze at Spanish GP and McLaren hospitality suite evacuated after ‘fire in kitchen’
Two people taken away to be treated for smoke inhalation
A FIRE reportedly broke out in the kitchen of McLaren's hospitality suite ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Emergency services were called to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this morning ahead of the final practice session.
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The blaze started inside with several fire engines and crews of firefighters arriving to get the chaos under control.
An ambulance was also on the scene but McLaren confirmed no team members were injured.
However, two people were taken away to be treated for smoke inhalation.
But it is understood their condition is not serious.
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Sky Sports News reported the incident related to a kitchen fire within the VIP area of the British-based team.
The smoke spread to the top floor of the hospitality suite and therefore the entire building was evacuated.
The fire was put out within minutes with extra security measures put in place.
McLaren driver Lando Norris was pictured in his socks on the tarmac looking at the building - although it is unclear if the photo was taken before or after the evacuation.
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McLaren wrote on X: "This morning we evacuated our Team Hub paddock hospitality unit following a fire alert.
"The team has been safely evacuated while the local fire brigade handle the issue."
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Formula One made no reference to the incident on their own feed.
Instead, they gave updates on third practice, which got underway at 11.30am - 12.30pm local time in Barcelona.
Temperatures are set to peak at approximately 25C in the Spanish city today.
Lewis Hamilton went quickest during Friday's sessions as he looks to end his long wait for a race win - stretching back to December 2021.
Qualifying takes place this afternoon with the race tomorrow afternoon at 2pm.
And teams will know the importance of a strong performance in qualifying because 30 of the last 33 Spanish Grand Prix have been won by drivers starting on the front row - and 24 from pole.
Max Verstappen is once again the runaway leader in the 2024 drivers' championship - 56 points clear of Charles Leclerc with Norris seven further back in third.
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