Thousands of revelers had to run for safety after an A-League soccer match on Tuesday night when a grass fire ripped through a busy park.
The match between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City had just finished and the 11,000 or so spectators at Gosford’s Industre Group Stadium were heading home.
There were also people in the area to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Leagues Club Park and the boardwalk.
“We were leaving the Mariners game with the kids and there was a big explosion like a firecracker,” a witness told Daily Mail Australia.
“Then, within minutes, the children’s play area was on fire.
“It was full of families moments before.”
Police officers who were at the scene working on the A-League match and general New Year’s Eve festivities were able to quickly clear the area as people fled.
Thousands of revelers had to run for safety after an A-League football match on Tuesday night when a grass fire (pictured) ripped through a busy park.
NSW Police have cleared the scene of the fire at Leagues Club Park in Gosford (pictured)
“Fortunately, the police were there as they had blocked the road for the fireworks,” the witness said.
“They told everyone to evacuate immediately.”
The witness said the large crowd of people in the area caused some difficulties.
“Traffic was back to back, so it took a while for the fire truck to get through,” they said.
A police investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
The football match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Samuel Souprayen giving Melbourne City the lead in the 33rd minute and Nathan Paul equalizing for the Mariners in the 68th minute.