ShanksRFC 3,868 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Mario Balotelli of Manchester City, whose house was set on fire as he and friends let off fireworks from a window. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the ObserverMario Balotelli's remarkable capacity for self-inflicted problems resurfaced on the eve of the Manchester derby when he had to escape from his burning house after a fire caused by letting off fireworks in the bathroom in the early hours of Saturday morning.Balotelli escaped unhurt but will be summoned to see Roberto Mancini to explain the latest moment of madness in his chequered career. City have been contacted by the fire service and Mancini will want to know what Balotelli was doing putting himself in such a position before their biggest match of the season.Two fire crews using breathing apparatus put out the flames after being called to Balotelli's house just before 1am on Saturday to deal with what has been described as "a substantial fire" on the first floor. The property, in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, sustained serious fire and smoke damage and the police were also called – in part to ensure Balotelli did not go back into the house. The striker is said to have been reluctant to leave his belongings and, at one point, to have run back inside to recover a quantity of money and a suitcase.A police spokesman said: "At just before 1am on Saturday we were called to a report of a house fire at a residential home in Mottram St Andrew. Police provided assistance to Cheshire fire and rescue service as well as ensuring residents were accounted for and there was no danger to surrounding properties. At this time, the cause of the fire is being examined by fire investigators and the police. However, it is not thought to be suspicious."Balotelli checked into a Manchester hotel and took part in training as normal at 10am. He has told club officials he and four friends were setting off fireworks through an open window. The bathroom towels set on fire and the blaze quickly spread. Balotelli has claimed that one of his friends had set off the firework. That, however, is unlikely to spare the player a reprimand from Mancini and a reminder that City's management staff would have expected him to be asleep at that time rather than exposing himself to the possibility of serious injury.A statement from the fire service said: "Four breathing apparatus and two hose reel water jets were used to deal with the fire and a large fan was used to clear the smoke from the property. Crews managed to put out the fire within half an hour of arriving but remained at the scene until 2.45 am to prevent any possible flare-ups. Smoke alarms were fitted at the property and the occupiers were able to get out unharmed. The fire was caused by a firework."The incident comes at a bad time for Balotelli after Mancini's recent statements about noticing a "big improvement" in the player's behaviour. Balotelli has scored in his last four games and a major part of City's pre-derby training has been set up around him getting behind United's defence.Mancini said on Friday that he hoped Balotelli was "changing his mentality" and putting behind him the controversies that have accompanied him since he signed from Internazionale for £25m last year.Balotelli has established himself as one of the more controversial figures in English football, his list of misdemeanours including an internal investigation after he was seen throwing darts at youth-team players.Balotelli was substituted in the first half of a pre-season match in Los Angeles after he was given a simple chance to score and tried to back-heel the ball into the net, missing the target entirely. Yet he insisted in an interview in the past few days that he was growing up and would steer clear of controversy before, during and after the derby.He has recently moved from Manchester city centre and said he was living in the countryside for a quieter life. :broadfoot: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/oct/22/mario-balotelli-house-fire-fireworks?newsfeed=true Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardFoster 41 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Jesus christ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossS1873 1,656 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Fuck sake! I don't know how much more Mancini could handle with him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senna 735 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 What a tit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caps13gb 19 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 what a hero. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastEnclosureBear 2,919 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Some guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardFoster 41 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 what a hero. Oh aye setting his hoose on fire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BananaMan 63 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caps13gb 19 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Oh aye setting his hoose on fire.possibly not the best way to put it. but i like the guy, He does as he wants. and its entertaining Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Jolson 3 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Gutted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersMedia 35,961 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 :lol: outstanding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy 68 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
demise 3,516 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Very good player, but with this attitude, i think he will end up spending his career in some mid-table Calcio team. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol 401 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Never a dull moment.Like him or loathe him he does make the EPL a more interesting place Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Jolson 3 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Never a dull moment.Like him or loathe him he does make the EPL a more interesting placeTrue. In the good old days he wouldve been called a "character". Sadly, there's not enough characters in the game now and the game's poorer for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfcfraserrfc 262 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 As a paying customer I would personally think he's great value on and off the park. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Laff's Dodgy Barnett 20 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 LAD! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mor3los_1 3,672 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 I like the fact he went back in for money and a suitcase, how dodgy does that sound Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Jela 20,361 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 The striker is said to have been reluctant to leave his belongings and, at one point, to have run back inside to recover a quantity of money and a suitcase. :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covered End 2 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Not many character left in the game anymore. Would hate him in my team, But he's so entertaining. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Right_To_Censor 1,951 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 I know he hasn't set alight the epl atm but he will he just needs to cool his firey temper however The guys on fire atm, can't wait to see him fire a few past utd tomorrow, Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirrhillLoyal 318 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 I fucking love this guy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekweir29 505 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 He's a fucking legend Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 He makes life better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper 117 Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Haha crazy bastard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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