Why there's a huge number of fire engines at Sheffield Arena this morning

The force has warned there will be a large number of fire engines around the Arena this morning as part of a training exercise.

Firefighters will be testing their emergency response to incidents and their operational procedures during the drill.

The force has taken to Twitter to warn local residents not to be alarmed if they see a 'large number of fire engines' by the venue on Broughton Lane.

A spokesperson said: "Please don't be alarmed if you see a large number of fire engines around @SheffieldArena area this morning.

"We are holding a large exercise to test our emergency response and operational procedures."

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue regularly hold training exercises for 'major incidents' with Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium and Meadowhall previously used.

The training tests how fire services respond to major events and involve staff and vehicles from a number of rescue services from across Yorkshire.

This tests the arrangements the organisations already have in place for supporting each other across traditional county borders.

The last training exercise for firefighters involved responding to an incident involving one of the new Citylink trams that hit the region;s transport network earlier this year.

Crews from Parkway, Lowedges, Central and Birley Moor fire stations all attended ‘Exercise Escape’, which tested South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s operational response to a potential incident on Sheffield’s tram network.

The 45-minute scenario involved a Citylink tram colliding with a scooter resulting in a casualty becoming trapped underneath. Fire cadets from the service’s Birley Moor branch also acted as casualties.

Stagecoach Supertram staff and South Yorkshire Police officers took part, so that fire officers could practice effective multi-agency working.

Security at the FlyDSA Arena remains high following the Manchester terror attacks last year; with customers facing more searches and checks than before.

The arena continues to urge customers to keep personal belongings to 'an absolute minimum; and any item you bring to an event will be subject to additional searches.