RED ALERT Chaos as 75 fans rescued from height, 16 arrested and 1 stabbed after ‘up to 1million’ lined streets for Arsenal parade
ARSENAL fans sparked chaos in the streets of the capital yesterday as the club celebrated its Premier League title.
The day’s celebrations saw some 75 people rescued from a height, 16 arrested and one person stabbed, emergency services said.
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Between 750,000 and one million fans are estimated to have attended the paradeCredit: AFP
Arsenal fans celebrate ontop of Highbury Station as the bus passes by during the Arsenal Trophy ParadeCredit: Getty
Emergency crews had to rescue 75 people from height during the paradeCredit: Alamy
Police face off with supporters during the chaosCredit: AFP
Fans were urged to refrain from climbing onto rooftops and other vantage points as the fire service were called in to rescue nearly 100 stranded revellers.
But many clambered up trees, rooftops and traffic lights in the hope of glimpsing their heroes.
Cops arrested 16 people amid the celebrations, including one on suspicion of sexual assault.
Others were taken into custody on suspicion of drunk and disorderly behaviour, drugs offences and assaulting emergency workers.
An Arsenal fan with a Spiderman mask sits on top of some scaffoldingCredit: Alamy
Fans cling to a traffic light during the celebrationsCredit: Getty
One video circulating on social media showed three Arsenal fans perched on a small tree before it collapsed, leaving them sprawled on the floor.
Other footage showed a small group of Gunners fans throwing punches at each other despite their day of celebration before fellow supporters stepped in.
As fans celebrated the club’s first Premier League title after a barren 22 years, a stray flare caused a hotel fire, according to the London Fire Brigade.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “Fortunately, the fire caused only a small amount of damage to the exterior of the building.
Arsenal fans help each other up onto a roof on Blackstock RoadCredit: Getty
People wait on top of a bus stop for the Arsenal Champions ParadeCredit: EPA
A policeman hits out as officials try to stop fans from getting to the stadium at the end of the celebrationsCredit: AFP
Over 750,000 Arsenal fans reportedly lined the 5.6-mile routeCredit: AFP
“Pyrotechnics are also believed to have triggered the fire alarms at several other locations in the area.
“As supporters head home, we would urge them to avoid using pyrotechnics, particularly at stations, and to keep them away from buildings and other flammable materials.”
Mr Goulbourne also said the celebrations had been a “fantastic sight” and said so many of the fans were “celebrating their club’s achievement safely.”
Over 750,000 Arsenal fans reportedly lined the 5.6-mile route but figures are yet to be officially confirmed.
An Arsenal fan downs a can of beer from his perch on a speed signCredit: Getty
An Arsenal fan on a traffic light at the Arsenal Premier League Winners ParadeCredit: Getty
Meanwhile almost 800 were arrested on the other side of the Channel as PSG celebrated beating the Gunners in Hungary.
The parade in London started and finished at the Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal’s title parade got underway despite their failure on the biggest European stage against PSG yesterday.
At 2.15pm, the parade began before winding its way through Islington across the next two hours in unprecedented scenes.
Fans were seen hanging out of windows and on top of bus stops, with others on roof terraces as red smoke from thousands of flares poured into the north London sky.
Finsbury Park – the nearest National Rail station to the route – had to be closed because of overcrowding.
The wild celebrations came a day after supporters were left in tears in Budapest after the Gunners lost their Champions League final to a dominant PSG.
The team was seen departing their Hilton hotel in the Hungarian capital shortly before 9am this morning.
Declan Rice was full of kind words for his team-mates and manager today though.
During the club’s parade, he confirmed the Gooners will be “back for more”.
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Rice added: “I love this team. I love this manager.
“To see the joy we can give people is crazy. Next year, we’re coming back for more.”
