Hundreds of children were evacuated from a Christmas pantomime in Belfast last night, after a fire alarm sprinkler system caused flooding at the Grand Opera House.
The performance of Dick Whittington, starring EastEnders' Leslie Grantham, at the historic theatre was cancelled for the night after the incident. Some 1,000 people in all were sent home after a fire broke out in a bin in a male toilet at the 108-year-old venue.
Grand Opera House Director John Botteley blamed one smoker's stupidity for causing the cancellation of the show.
Station Officer Michael Neeson refused to confirm a lit cigarette had been responsible for the blaze and said an official investigation was under way to determine the cause.
He said a lot of flood damage had been caused to the venue.
Mr Neeson praised theatre staff for quickly and safely evacuating the venue and said no injuries had been reported.
PA