Some people who waited over an hour and a half were sent away without seeing the famous embroidery
Thousands of visitors who were waiting to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum were left disappointed as the major landmark was evacuated.
According to the London Fire Brigade, reports of smoke were made at around 7.27pm this evening (September 18), prompting fears of a fire.
The smoke was in one of the galleries, not believed to house the Bayeux Tapestry, but prompted fire alarms to be set of and the site being evacuated, reports the Daily Star.
The London Fire Brigade believe the smoke was coming from an “overheating light” as nearly around 3,700 people were forced to leave. The all clear was given an hour later once fire crews had inspected the building.
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: “Crews carried out a systematic search of the building to identify the source of the smoke, which is believed to have been caused by an overheating light.
“Around 3,700 people evacuated the building before firefighters arrived. The incident was over for firefighters at 19.27pm, when responsibility for the site was handed back to the building’s management team.”
Many visitors had reportedly waited two hours to enter the British Museum today with Bayeux Tapestry bringing in more numbers than usual.
Many took to social media to voice their disappointment and the unfortunate incident.
One wrote: “Hope everyone’s ok @britishmuseum after the evacuation for a fire alarm. Disappointing for those of who spent an hour and forty minutes after our ticketed time queuing to see the Bayeux Tapestry to get to reach it, and then were told to leave”
Another said: “1.5hrs in a queue and now just evacuated from Bayeux Tapestry & British Museum. Soo upset!!”
A third said: “I was at the British Museum when they started shouting “Emergency!” and “Fire!” and hustled us all outside…!!”
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