Rugby fans to miss out after Landsdowne Rd fire

7,500 rugby fans will miss out on their seats at tomorrow's match between Ireland and the All Blacks after a fire at Landsdowne Road forced the Irish Rugby Union to close off the entire North Terrace.

Dublin reporter Gary Moran says the union and police officials have decided it would be unsafe to allow the stand to open as there could be structural damage.

He says that means more than 7,000 of the 42,000 capacity crowd will not be able to take their seats for the gameget into the ground.

Because the match was a sell-out, North Terrace ticket-holders can not be offered alternative seating but they will be offered a refund. Mr Moran says Landsdowne Road is a pretty old stadium and the officials are probably just being extra cautious.

Dublin's Fire Service says the fire started at about 4.30 in the afternoon local time, and there was some sort of chemical incident near construction work at the stadium.

Four or five sections of the North Terrace have been damaged, and will be closed off to spectators during the game.

- NEWSTALK ZB