Birmingham city centre was put on lockdown amid reports of a ‘massive’ explosion at a top theatre that sounded ‘like a bomb going off’.
There was panic on the streets and fears of a possible terror attack after the area was rocked by the huge blast at around 8.15pm.
Police, fire and ambulance crews were all scrambled to the scene with roads closed surrounding Centenary Square and Broad Street – the city’s main entertainment district.
West Midlands Police soon revealed the explosion had originated in a staff area of the Repertory Theatre following a ‘technical fault’ and fortunately there had been no injuries.
There was panic on the streets and fears of a possible terror attack after the area was rocked by the huge blast at around 8.15pm
The force tweeted: ‘All emergency services are currently at Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre, Broad St following reports of an explosion.
‘Initial indications are that this was a technical fault in a staff only area. No casualties are reported.
‘Everyone has been evacuated and are being kept safe.
‘All roads around @BirminghamRep & @LibraryofBham are closed following an explosion in a staff only area of the theatre.’
Police, fire and ambulance crews were all scrambled to the scene with roads closed surrounding Centenary Square and Broad Street – the city’s main entertainment district
West Midlands Police revealed the explosion had originated in a staff area of the Repertory Theatre following a ‘technical fault’ and fortunately there had been no injuries
West Midlands Fire Service also wrote on Twitter: ‘We are currently supporting @WMPolice at an incident at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad St, Birmingham. Please AVOID the area.’
Earlier, social media users told how the explosive noise was heard up to a mile away in the Jewellery Quarter.
Guests at the neighbouring Symphony Hall, Hyatt Hotel and International Convention Centre were also told to stay inside.
Eyewitness Paul Cave, 33, said: ‘I was on Broad Street having a drink with the wife when we heard this deafening noise.
Earlier, social media users told how the explosive noise was heard up to a mile away in the Jewellery Quarter
One witness tweeted: ‘Reports coming in of some type of explosion by REP Theatre ICC Symphony Hall area of Birmingham’
‘It was like a bomb going off and that’s what we feared. Everyone stayed pretty calm though but you could see people thinking the worst.
‘Police were there very quickly and have done a good job cordoning off the area and diverting traffic.’
One witness tweeted: ‘Reports coming in of some type of explosion by REP Theatre ICC Symphony Hall area of Birmingham’.
Westside BID tweeted: ‘An incident has taken place at the Birmingham Rep. Police are attending. Roads are currently shut. @BirminghamRep’.
Witness Paul Cave, 33, said: ‘It was like a bomb going off and that’s what we feared. Everyone stayed pretty calm though but you could see people thinking the worst’
Twitter user rob-turner45 said: ‘Weird explosion noise in birmingham city centre just by the Barclay card arena’.
Ttid82 added: ‘What was that? Evacuations going on by symphony hall. Lots of police’.
Allison O’Dea tweeted: ‘Just heard a massive explosion-sounding noise in Birmingham City centre while walking through Brindley place. What on earth is happening??’
Another internet user, Yelnats-eel added: ‘Whatever happened in Birmingham it was around Centenary Square which is currently a building site.’