BBC Breakfast had to end a few minutes earlier than planned after a fire alarm sounded at the studios in Salford on Saturday morning.
Rachel Burden and Roger Johnson were midway through conducting an interview with The Apprentice winner Harpreet Kaur when they were interrupted.
‘We’ve been disturbed by an alarm which may mean that we have to slow things down for a moment,’ Rachel said, after an alarm went off.
‘I’m so sorry everyone. For the time being, we’re going to have to leave the studios.
‘So we’ll see if we can come back before the end of the show,’ she explained.
Over the alarm, a voice could be heard saying: ‘Attention, attention, please evacuate the building via the nearest exit. Please do not use the lifts.’
‘I think we are going to have to go, Harpreet, I am so sorry!’ Roger added apologetically.
‘Don’t worry, it’s fine. Don’t apologise!’ she responded.
Roger spoke to viewers, unsure whether they were still able to see what was happening on-screen.
He said: ‘We think we’ve gone off-air. If you’re watching, thank you very much for watching. Goodbye.’
The screen then cut to the BBC Breakfast logo, before a string of adverts for the broadcaster played out for a few minutes.
Those watching at home quickly reacted to the scenes, with some questioning why they didn’t move off the sofa quicker.
One wrote: ‘When the fire alarm goes off during BBC Breakfast and no one moves. #bbcbreakfast.’
‘The #BBCBreakfast hashtag full of know-it-alls saying they should have left the second they heard the fire alarm, like a) they weren’t following a specific procedure and b) they weren’t in touch with people better informed about the situation than Disgruntled of Tunbridge Wells,’ commented another.
‘BBC #BBC News #bbcBreakfast. Oh dear. Fire alarm going off live on BBC Breakfast. Gone off air. Hope everyone is okay,’ shared someone else.
A viewer added: ‘Love the very real reaction to the alarm. You can see them thinking: “Is this really happening? Do we really have to move? sigh Oh OK then!” #BBCBreakfast.’
It’s currently unclear what led to the fire alarm sounding at the broadcaster’s studios.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for further information.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Rylan Clark takes pal Alex Jones out pole dancing as they hit the town after presenting The One Show
