BBC Breakfast was forced to evacuate the building this morning as a fire alarm went off live on air.
At 9.55am an interview with the winner of this year's The Apprentice, Harpreet Kaur was interrupted by a loud ringing.
As the fire alarm went off, Rachel Burden remained on the red sofa. Addressing the camera she said: "So, we've been disturbed by-"
When the ringing paused, Roger Johnson attempted to continue the interview before an automated announcement instructed them to leave the building.
The voice said: "Attention, attention, please evacuate the building by the nearest available exit."
The two hosts quickly made sense of the situation, with Rachel apologising to the audience about the interruption.
She said: "I'm so sorry everyone, for the time being we're going to have to leave the studios.
"We'll see if we can come back before the end of the show."
The presenters were clearly told to leave the premises, although remained seated and addressing the audience for a short period.
Roger said: "Thank you, enjoy whatever you're doing for the rest of the day. I think we are going to have to go. Harpreet, I'm so sorry. That's terrible."
The presenters remained on the couch until the camera cut to a holding screen.
Viewers were quick to criticise the presenters for their behaviour around the fire alarm, with them taking to Twitter to voice their concerns.
One wrote: "Bit confused and concerned why 2 reporters and guest stayed on the sofa for so long with a fire alarm going off and a tannoy message to leave the building ??"
A second penned: "It was a fire alarm...that's all you need to know. It goes off you get out, quick. #ThickAsMince"
Another viewer felt the hosts reaction was quite relatable, penning: "Love the very real reaction to the alarm. You can see them thinking: "Is this really happening? Do we really have to move? *sigh* Oh OK then!""
While another felt the reaction to the alarm was very 'British', writing: "Very British response to the fire alarm going off mid-interview on @BBCBreakfast
"Maybe stop apologising so much and evacuate as the announcement suggests"
At 10.08am, just 13 minutes after the alarm was first heard, Rachel took to Twitter to confirm that it had been a false alarm and that everyone was safe.
She shared a picture of herself and Harpreet smiling at the camera, as she held a piece of cookie pie.
Rachel captioned the image: "It’s all ok folks - false alarm and yes I did get some cookie pie and get to chat to the fabulous @harpsikaur @BBCBreakfast"
One viewer responded, saying: "That cookie pie looks amazing, can you send me some down the line.
"Pleased it was just a false alarm but sad that the interview never really got going"
