London's Shard Building was evacuated Thursday after fire alarms went off due to smoke from the basement.
About 900 people were evacuated as a precautionary measure but no fire was found.
According to the Evening Standard, seven fire engines and 50 firefighters were summoned to the 1,000-square-foot mixed use building. They thoroughly checked the basement but found no evidence of a flame. The cause for the smoke could not be identified.
"Police, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service attended reports of smoke in the basement of The Shard," a spokesperson for Scotland Yard told the publication.
As the alarm went off, people climbed down the stairs to reach the exits.
"There was announcement at about 10.55am that there was a fire in the building and everyone should evacuate. It's the first time it has happened as far as I'm aware. Everyone remained very calm and just made their way down and outside," said Mick Slatter, he works at The Shard,.
"Evacuating such large numbers of people can impede crews if there is a fire apparent but because it has been practised a number of times and we have worked alongside building management on a number of exercises, it was quite a quick and easy process," Keeley Foster, station manager at the London Fire Brigade station told the BBC.
People were allowed to re-enter the building after the smoke dissipated. Firefighters are still investigating what caused the smoke. They haven't ruled out an electrical fault yet.
The story in tweets:
Emergency services are responding to a fire alarm at The Shard. Evacuation procedures have been followed & we are ready to assist as needed.
— TheShardLondon (@TheShardLondon) June 5, 2014
Seven fire engines remain at the #Shard as crews continue to investigate what caused the smoke in the basement. A 50M cordon's in place. — London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 5, 2014
Photo live from the scene at the #Shard - credits to #London Fire Brigade. pic.twitter.com/rbs1L4J2cC
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 5, 2014
Crews continue their investigations at The Shard. No reports of any injuries & London Bridge station is unaffected. pic.twitter.com/33oo748cum — London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 5, 2014
At scene #Shard with @LondonFire. Our main role at mo is ensuring a safe working environment re roads & pedestrians pic.twitter.com/Vf0XY3oRmb
— Insp K J Robbins (@KelvinJRobbins) June 5, 2014
There is no more smoke in The Shard's basement. People will soon be allowed back inside the building and crews will be leaving the scene. — London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 5, 2014
There is no more smoke in The Shard's basement. People will soon be allowed back inside the building and crews will be leaving the scene.
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 5, 2014
UPDATE All smoke has now dissipated. There was no fire in the building and all tenants and guests of The Shard are now re-entering. — TheShardLondon (@TheShardLondon) June 5, 2014
Our thanks to @LondonFire @metpoliceuk @BTP_UK and @Ldn_Ambulance for all of their support.
— TheShardLondon (@TheShardLondon) June 5, 2014
