Mario Balotelli firework damage revealed as pictures emerge of maverick Liverpool striker's charred house three years on

  • Mario Balotelli house was set alight after firework prank in October 2011
  • Pictures EXCLUSIVE to MailOnline have emerged showing extent of damage to the house that Balotelli rented
  • Italian striker was forced to move out of his rented home while the damage was repaired
  • The following day Balotelli scored twice as Manchester City beat Manchester United 6-1
  • Balotelli wore infamous 'Why Always Me?' T-shirt in response to press coverage of the firework incident 
  • The current Liverpool striker was left with a repair bill for £400,000

By Tom Bellwood for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

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The full extent of the damage caused to Mario Balotelli's home after fireworks were set off in the bathroom in 2011 can finally be revealed.

These stunning pictures show the shocking destruction to the bedroom and hallway in the £3million-valued home following the Halloween prank while he was a Manchester City player.

Ten firefighters used breathing apparatus as they put out the blaze, which was described as 'a substantial fire' at the house he rented for £7,500-a-month for in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, leaving him with a repair bill of £400,000.


VIDEO Scroll down to watch some of Mario Balotelli's maddest, baddest and best moments 

Mario Balotelli's house in Cheshire was badly damaged by fireworks in October 2011 - the fire was so intense it melted the bath (above)

Mario Balotelli's house in Cheshire was badly damaged by fireworks in October 2011 - the fire was so intense it melted the bath (above)

Balotelli's bathroom is shown to be badly charred by the new photographs
Balotelli's bathroom is shown to be badly charred by the new photographs

Balotelli's bathroom is shown to be badly charred by the new photographs, with extensive damage that required repairs

The smoke damage reached into other rooms of the house, leaving a thick layer of black soot across walls, floors and furnishings

The smoke damage reached into other rooms of the house, leaving a thick layer of black soot across walls, floors and furnishings

As Sportsmail’s exclusive pictures show, the blaze was so intense that it melted the bath, destroying the bathroom and leaving adjoining rooms ruined by smoke damage.

The incident, on October 23, 2011, came the night before his famous 'Why Always Me' T-shirt celebration after scoring the second of his two against Manchester United in City's famous 6-1 win at Old Trafford.

A City spokesman at the time said: 'We can confirm there was an incident at Mario’s house which the fire brigade attended.

'Nobody was injured and Mario trained as normal with the rest of the squad on Saturday morning.'

This picture shows the damage to the ceiling and walls inside Balotelli's former home, which spread from the bathroom to the hallway

This picture shows the damage to the ceiling and walls inside Balotelli's former home, which spread from the bathroom to the hallway

These were the fireworks used by on that night in October 2011 that caused £400,000 worth of damage to Balotelli's rented home

These were the fireworks used by on that night in October 2011 that caused £400,000 worth of damage to Balotelli's rented home

The fire and smoke damage spread to this bedroom in the house

The fire and smoke damage spread to this bedroom in the house

Debris can be seen on the surfaces of Balotelli's home. Overall, £400,000 worth of damage was done

Debris can be seen on the surfaces of Balotelli's home. Overall, £400,000 worth of damage was done

Balotelli's garage with motorbikes, mountain bikes remote control cars and other boy's toys 
Marios Garage

Balotelli's garage with motorbikes, mountain bikes remote control cars and other boys' toys 

The Italian striker had a number of bikes and scooters in his garage but was forced to move out after the damage

The Italian striker had a number of bikes and scooters in his garage but was forced to move out after the damage

A police spokesman said: 'The cause of the fire is being examined by fire investigators and the police. However, it is not thought to be suspicious.'

Balotelli has been the subject of controversy since being in English football, playing for Manchester City before being sold back to AC Milan.

He was disciplined by the club for throwing darts at a youth team player in 2010, while he was also pictured trading punches on the training ground with former team-mate Jerome Boateng. He paid a total of £300,000 in club fines.

Balotelli posted a picture of himself on Instagram wishing his followers a good morning in both English and Italian 

Balotelli posted a picture of himself on Instagram wishing his followers a good morning in both English and Italian 

Balotelli scored for Manchester City from the penalty spot the day after the incident

Balotelli scored for Manchester City from the penalty spot the day after the incident

Balotelli had only shortly before appeared in a safety advert regarding misuse of fireworks

Balotelli had only shortly before appeared in a safety advert regarding misuse of fireworks

The Italian striker celebrates scoring against Swansea in the Capital One Cup in midweek

The Italian striker celebrates scoring against Swansea in the Capital One Cup in midweek

Balotelli jokes with his team-mates at Liverpool's Melwood training ground earlier this week

Balotelli jokes with his team-mates at Liverpool's Melwood training ground earlier this week

VIDEO Rogers dismisses Balotelli questions with a smile 

In April 2011, it was reported Balotelli had spent £10,000 in parking fines and had his sports car impounded 27 times.

He once crashed his sports car soon after arriving and it was reported that police found £5,000 in cash in his back pocket.

The striker was also reprimanded for throwing darts at the training ground.

Balotelli, now a Liverpool player following his departure from City and short spell with AC Milan, has struggled since re-joining the Premier League and is yet to score in the competition for his new club.

Pressure has been increasing on the £16m summer signing after a series of frustrating performances. he has netted twice for Brendan Rodgers' side - once in the Champions League against Ludogorets, the other in the League Cup against Swansea. 

Mario's Misdemeanors 

Sportsmail takes a look at some more of Balotelli's on and off-field incidents during his time in English football.

CAR CRASH (August 2010)

Just days after signing for City, Balotelli hits the headlines after crashing his Audi R8 en route to the club's training ground. Balotelli is found to be carrying £5,000 in cash at the time of the accident and when police ask why, he reportedly replies: 'Because I am rich.'

FIRST RED CARD (November 2010)

Balotelli scores his first Premier League goals in a 2-0 win at West Brom but the achievement is marred when he is sent off following a clash with Youssouf Mulumbu.

WILSHERE SNUB (December 2010)

City boss Roberto Mancini says Balotelli must change his attitude following his claims he had never heard of Jack Wilshere after beating the Arsenal midfielder to FIFA's Young Player of the Year award.

DART-THROWING INCIDENT (March 2011)

Balotelli again hits trouble after it emerges he threw a dart at a City youth team player. No one was hurt in the incident and he escapes punishment.

SECOND RED CARD (March 2011)

Balotelli apologises to his team-mates after he is sent off during a Europa League tie with Dynamo Kiev for a reckless challenge on Goran Popov.

BACK-HEEL BLUNDER (July 2011)

Balotelli is immediately substituted by an enraged Mancini after performing a pirouette and back-heeling wide when clean through on goal in a pre-season friendly against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

THIRD RED CARD (November 2011)

The third red card of Balotelli's City career arrives in a league match against  Liverpool, the 21-year-old dismissed for two yellow cards.

BREAKING CURFEW (December 2011)

Balotelli breaks a club 48-hour curfew by visiting a curry house ahead of a match against Chelsea.

RICHARDS CLASH (December 2011)

Just days after Balotelli's curfew lapse, he again attracts negative headlines after pictures emerge of a training-ground bust-up with team-mate Micah Richards.

PARKER CLASH (January 2012)

Balotelli is charged with violent conduct by the Football Association, and subsequently handed a four-match ban, after appearing to stamp on the head of Tottenham's Scott Parker during a Premier League match.

INTER PRESS CONFERENCE (March 2012)

Balotelli gatecrashes the press conference to announce the appointment of Andrea Stramaccioni as Inter Milan's new coach.

FOURTH RED CARD (April 2012)

Balotelli is sent off for two bookable challenges on Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna. Also guilty of a shocking knee-high challenge on Gunners midfielder Alex Song.

CLASH WITH MANCINI (January 2013)

Balotelli clashes with Mancini during training with the pair pulled apart by coaches. 

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