News | LondonBritish Museum evacuated: 4,000 people cleared from museum after fire alertEvacuation: Crowds wait outside the gates of the museumJason Payne-JamesJamie Micklethwaite11 May 2016Thousands of people were evacuated from the British Museum after a light fitting overheated.The world-famous museum was evacuated after a smoke alarm was triggered just before 3.30pm on Wednesday.London Fire Brigade said about 4,000 people were cleared from the building in Bloomsbury as firefighters investigated reports of smoke.The alert was over within about 15 minutes, with LFB tweeting: "No fire @britishmuseum. It appears a light fitting overheated."Alert: A fire engine outside the British MuseumJason Payne-JamesA museum spokeswoman confirmed it was standard procedure when any smoke alarm goes off to evacuate the premises.MORE ABOUTBritish Museum