On this day: MCG scoreboard catches fire

"You're not going to believe this, the scoreboard here at the MCG is on fire."

Richmond and Carlton have produced plenty of fireworks at the MCG for more than a century, but the clash between the two arch-rivals on August 27, 1999 will forever be remembered for the most bizarre circumstances.

It was the scene one of the most dramatic openings to a sporting match in Australian history as the scoreboard at the City end caught fire ahead of Richmond and Carlton’s Round 22 clash.

Flames 20m high engulfed the famous scoreboard, forcing thousands of fans to stream out of the Ponsford Stand. Within minutes, the blaze had destroyed 20 percent of the scoreboard, causing over $4 million worth of damage.

It took approximately 30 firefighters and 16 minutes to control the blaze – the cause of which was later deemed to be an electrical fault – calming fears of danger to people inside the stadium.

Image: Jack Atley/Getty Images.

Anything that happened on the field after was always going to be overshadowed by the pre-match drama, with the Tigers running out 11-point winners in a thrilling upset over the finals-bound Blues.

But what happened to the scoreboard?

It operated at low capacity during the 1999 finals series until it was replaced ahead of the 2000 season.

But the fire damaged relic did find a new home – it was refurbished, packed up in three 12m containers and shipped off to Madras Cricket Club in Chennai, India.

Banner image: Jack Atley/Getty Images.

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