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No injuries at barbecue fire

 
Published Aug. 9, 2012

LONDON — A gas barbecue caught fire and exploded Wednesday night at New Zealand's hospitality center, forcing the evacuation of approximately 300 people.

No one was injured, firefighters said. Witnesses described two cylinders attached to the barbecue catching fire and exploding, London Fire Station Manager Richard Welch said.

The center is one of many special venues that provide national focal points for fans to watch the Games and sample the food and culture.

jeter defends: Carmelita Jeter defended her relationship with an agent who was suspended as part of the BALCO drug investigation after getting bronze in the 200 meters. Jeter, who got silver in the 100, said at a news conference she considers Mark Block "a close friend." In March 2011, Block was suspended for 10 years by an anti-doping arbitration panel after it found he trafficked in drugs supplied by Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative and gave them to his wife, sprinter Zhanna Block.

injury report: German superheavyweight weightlifter Matthias Steiner, the 2008 gold medalist, was sore and bruised but not seriously injured after dropping a 432-pound barbell on himself in Tuesday's competition, team doctors said. Steiner had to withdraw. … Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang will have surgery on his right Achilles tendon. The 2004 110 hurdles champion was injured Tuesday in his heat. … Former 100 world-record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica is out for the rest of the track season after pulling his left groin in Sunday's 100 final, in which he finished last.

ratings: NBC averaged 30.1 million viewers for Tuesday night's broadcast, the 11th time in 12 nights viewership surpassed 2008 totals.