Fire Erupts at Lloyd Noble Center During Oklahoma Basketball Game vs. Georgia

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A fire broke out at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma during a college basketball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs. The fire started from a popcorn machine in the concourse area, causing officials to pause the game for around five minutes as the arena's sprinklers were activated to extinguish the blaze and clear smoke. Security and staff were able to evacuate the affected sections safely, and the game was able to resume after the incident.

Why it matters

Fires and other emergencies at sporting events can pose serious risks to public safety, so the quick response and evacuation by staff at the Lloyd Noble Center helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation. The incident also occurred on the last day on the job for long-time Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, adding an unusual twist to the event.

The details

The fire started in a popcorn machine located between Sections 222 and 223 of the Lloyd Noble Center. Concessions vendor Kristian Alexander, who had just started his new job the day before, was in a nearby closet when he heard the commotion and saw the flames. Security guards and police officers quickly cleared the affected sections and the four adjacent ones, while the arena's sprinkler system was activated to put out the fire and clear the smoke. The game was paused for around five minutes before play could resume, with Oklahoma trailing Georgia 43-41 at halftime.

• The fire broke out during a media timeout just a few minutes into the first half of the Oklahoma-Georgia game on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The University of Oklahoma and Lloyd Noble Center officials will likely conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and review emergency protocols to ensure the safety of fans and staff at future events.