Fans evacuated from Royal Albert Hall after electrical fire

Thousands of classical music fans were left disappointed after a sell-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall was cancelled when smoke began filling part of the venue.

The historic concert hall was evacuated last night after an electrical fault in the basement.

The problem was thought to have come from an electrical unit that operates the lighting rig and about 3,500 concert goers and performers were forced to leave as a precaution.

Among them was 11-year-old Liverpool choirboy Jack Topping, who was set to make his Albert Hall debut at the Classic FM Live event only weeks after becoming the youngest person ever to be signed by the Decca record label.

Another was New Zealand singer Hayley Westenra, who told how she was 15 minutes away from going on stage when she had to leave.

The 26-year-old, who is based on London, said: “I was just doing my make up in my dressing room at about 7.15pm when I was told I had to leave the building. Everybody thought it would be a false alarm.

“After about 20 minutes waiting outside there was an announcement the show was cancelled.

“I was with young Jack and some of his family who had travelled a long way to be here.

“It’s a bit unfortunate. Thankfully everyone seems to be OK and the Royal Albert Hall seems to be okay too.

“I’ve never been in this situation before. Hopefully the show can go on at a later date.”

Fans who travelled long distances and paid up to £90 for a ticket voiced their frustration at the cancellation.

Retired teacher David Spens, 66, had made the trip from Lincolnshire for the concert.

He said: “We were waiting for the start of the concert at about 7.15 and there was announcement over the Tannoy. A voice came on and said ‘would everybody please evacuate their seats and make their way out of the building as soon as possible’. They didn’t explain what was wrong.

“They organised the evacuation extremely well, there was no panic. People were milling around thinking it was only temporary and in half an hour they would let us back in.”

A couple from Yorkshire, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We’re very disappointing as we’ve never been to the Albert Hall.”

Sylvia Moynihan, 79, from Kensington, said: “I paid £92 my seat and also paid for a glass of champagne at the interval. Most people who go there come from outside London and have paid for their trains. For them it’s awful.”