Eastleigh’s Vanarama Conference match against Lincoln City has now been postponed until a later date because of an explosion and fire at the hotel the Imps were staying at.

The explosion and subsequent blaze at the Hilton Hotel in Chilworth had delayed kick off from 3pm until 4pm because the Lincoln players had equipment inside the luxury accommodation that they couldn't access. 

But as it became clear the travelling players would not be able to get to their kit for some time, the game was postponed with a new date yet to be organised. 

Spitfires secretary Ray Murphy said: “The original information we got was they’d be allowed back in the hotel at 2.30pm to collect their stuff.

“So we agreed to a delay in kick off to 4pm once they got their stuff.

“That was all a bit open ended to be fair.

“The police have now advised us that they’re not allowed back in the hotel for another two hours at least, which means it will be a long time until they can get their stuff.

“That means it would be something like 5pm when we can play. We can’t delay kick off anymore – we can’t play at 6/7pm tonight.

“We’ve been trying everything we can to help Lincoln and they’ve be trying to help us.

“It’s out of the control of both the parties. There’s nothing we can do.

“We’re in the hands of god. Yesterday we thought the pitch might not have been worthy because of the fall of rain we had.

“So the pitch is fine, but we don't know a hotel is going to set on fire.”

The visiting fans will recieve a refund, while the Eastleigh faithful will be able to enter the rearranged fixture with the ticket they bought for today's game. 

A statement on Eastleigh's official website said: 

"Todays game vs Lincoln City has been postponed due to a large fire at the team hotel this morning.

"The fire broke out at the Hilton Hotel in Chilworth at 11.16am today.

"Crews of 55 firefighters from eight stations across the Southampton area have been tackling the flames which is thought to have started in the hotel’s sauna.

"Eight pumps from St Mary’s, Hightown, Redbridge, Romsey,Eastleigh, Hamble and Fareham were deployed. Ambulances and police have also been arriving on the scene.

"Please note no refunds will be avaliable for this fixtute but home tickets need to be kept as they will be valid for the rearranged fixture or another league fixture.

"Please look at the club website and social media for the re-arranged fixture."

Meanwhile, Lincoln City general manager John Vickers had an update on Lincoln's situation.

"We have been moved to another hotel for safety reasons," he said.

"Some of the club staff have gone back (to the Hilton Southampton) and they've been advised that no members of the public are allowed in to the hotel for another two hours - there's still smoke - for safety reasons.

"That takes us to at least 4.15pm, 4.30pm and you cannot leave it that late."

Vickers said they had kept Eastleigh officials informed and eventually it was agreed to postpone the game.

He said: "There's nothing we can do about it. The players' boots are still in their rooms and we cannot get them.

"The kit is at the ground but the players cannot be expected to play in flip flops.

"We cannot get in to get the equipment  to play a game of football.

"It's frustrating for everybody. The supporters have made a long trip down and we can only apologise but it's out of our hands. We've done everything we can."

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