FIBA Women’s World Cup players’ hotel evacuated after fire breaks out ahead of high-stakes final stage

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Women’s Basketball World Cup teams were forced to evacuate their Berlin hotel early Tuesday morning for the second time in three days, after a fire started in a neighboring parking facility.

FIBA said the alarm went off at 9:06 a.m. local time. The teams followed standard safety procedures and assembled outside before returning to their rooms at 9:27 a.m.

“Following a thorough inspection, it was confirmed that the alarm was activated due to the start of a fire in the garbage room located in the underground basement of a neighbouring parking facility,” FIBA said in a statement.

“The Police are currently investigating the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The U.S. team was not affected because the Americans are staying at a different hotel from the rest of the tournament field.

Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Breanna Stewart and Chelsea Gray of USA look on during a Women's Basketball World Cup game.

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The incident came two days after an alarm forced players and coaches out of the same hotel at approximately 2 a.m. Sunday. That evacuation lasted about an hour and disrupted the sleep of teams scheduled to play later that day.

FIBA said Tuesday that the first alarm “was due to steam in the kitchen during its cleaning.” Australia coach Sandy Brondello had previously said she was told someone activated an emergency alarm in an elevator, according to The Associated Press.

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Uber Arena in Berlin during early evening.

Tuesday’s evacuation occurred on the opening day of the knockout stage. Hungary and Japan were scheduled to play the first qualification game, followed by host Germany against South Korea. The winners will advance to face the U.S. and Belgium, respectively, in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

FIBA did not report any injuries or changes to the tournament schedule.

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“The safety of all participants remains FIBA’s priority and we are taking all measures to make sure that the teams are put in the best possible conditions to compete,” the organization said.

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