Bayeux Tapestry ticket-holders evacuated from British Museum after smoke detected

Bayeux Tapestry ticket-holders were evacuated from the British Museum on Friday evening following fears of a fire in one of the galleries.

Some 3,700 visitors had been ordered to leave the museum and were unable to return to see the new exhibition after smoke was detected inside the venue.

The cause of the smoke is still being investigated, but London Fire Brigade said it suspected an “overheating light” was responsible.

The British Museum confirmed that the Bayeux Tapestry was safe and offered refunds or new tickets to those who had been there to see it.

A spokesman for the British Museum said: “We can confirm that the Museum was evacuated earlier this evening and the Fire Brigade attended what we believe was an electrical fault in a gallery (we’re still investigating). The collection is safe and there are no issues with the Bayeux Tapestry.

“Those that had tickets to see the exhibition but were not able to - or their visit had to be curtailed - have received our apologies for the inconvenience and disappointment and have been asked to contact us to reschedule their date or they can receive a refund.”

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade told The Telegraph: “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.”

The historic 70-metre embroidery was brought to the UK earlier this month as a loan from Normandy following an agreement with France.

Tickets for the exhibition went on sale in July, with the British Museum recording its highest single day of sales ever after generating more than £2.5 million.

Tens of thousands of people joined an online queue to get tickets, which went for £33 at standard times and between £25 and £27 durnig off peak hours.

The initial ticket release was for entry between September and December, and subsequent releases scheduled are expected in October and January before it is returned to France in July.

Chair of the museum and former Tory chancellor George Osborne said the museum anticipates about 7.5 million visitors for the artwork in “what will be without doubt the biggest year in the museum’s history”.

“It is a defining piece of our nation’s history and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said.

“I hope people mark their calendars and seize the chance to see it when it arrives, in what promises to be an extraordinary moment for the country.”