ALTON Sports Centre had to be evacuated on Saturday and a swimming gala abandoned when a fire alarm went off, triggering emergency safety procedures.
The incident occurred at around 8-20 pm - one of the busiest times for the centre with a lot of people in the bar and around the poolside where Alton Swimming Club was hosting a Novice Trophy evening for children from neighbouring clubs.
According to centre manager Sarah Hart, the alarm is thought to have been deliberately set off by pranksters in the changing village.
When the fire alarm sounded the duty manager had no choice but to follow procedure and evacuate the entire building pending arrival of the fire brigade.
ÒThe building was packed and it was extremely irritating, especially for those who had travelled from far and wide to attend the swimming gala, but it has to be safety first - you can never assume it is a false alarm. You canÕt take chances with peopleÕs lives,Ó she said.
Speaking on behalf of the Alton Swimming Club, coach Christine McHarg confirmed that the gala, which was for novice children aged from nine to 13 years, had been around three-quarters of the way through when the alarm sounded.
The swimmers were wrapped in space blankets for the evacuation and, although the all clear was quickly given once fire officers had checked out the building, it had been decided to draw a halt to the gala and take the results as they stood.
According to Mrs McHarg it was not a league event but a friendly gala and the results were not critical. Nevertheless, people had come from as far afield as Epsom, Rushmoor, Haslemere and Fernhurst to attend.
She said that the swimming club executive had since met with centre health and safety officers to discuss the incident and review safety procedures.
As a result it is intended carry out a fire alarm drill during the club championships in October.
Alton Swimming Club is also to write to all those clubs attending SaturdayÕs gala, explaining what had happened and offering apologies for the inconvenience caused.
While the pranksters have yet to be identified, Sarah Hart is unimpressed.
ÒThe false alarm not only caused distress and inconvenience to other users and staff but may have taken fire officers away from more urgent calls.
ÒIf we catch the culprits they will be dealt with accordingly,Ó she warned.