They're hot!

City teens get fired up for pop group 98 Degrees

The heat rose at Southcentre Mall yesterday afternoon, thanks to another special appearance by pop group 98 Degrees.

More than 4,000 manic fans packed into the mall's centre court as the four-piece vocal group -- who performed last night at the MacEwan Hall Ballroom -- signed everything from CD covers and posters to body parts.

The mostly teenaged female crowd, who also packed the mall's upper level, screamed, cried and hollered out the names of their favourite members when the band made its way onto the centre court stage.

As hundreds of camera flashes went off, security tried to keep a tight rein on things, although there were times when the flimsy fence -- put up to separate the band and their fans -- looked like it was about to collapse because of the weight of the crowd.

Some fans began showing up as early as 4 a.m. for the chance to get an autograph and a picture of their fave.

Others, like teary-eyed, 14-year-old Jessica Kaughman arrived at 9:30 a.m., only to find that the autograph line had already been cut off.

Kaughman was able to make it to the front of the barricade however, and after a lot of shaking and bawling, finally snuck in to snag a couple autographs from the group.

"Jeff (Timmons) and Nick (Lachey) are my favourites."