St Albans carol service evacuated after candles set off alarm

St Albans Cathedral had to be evacuated after carol service candles sparked the fire alarm

A carol service had to be evacuated after candles set off the smoke alarm.

St Albans Cathedral was holding its traditional service of lessons and carols on Thursday when the alarm rang.

The Very Rev Jo Kelly-Moore, St Albans Dean, said about 1,550 lit candles "gave the fire alarm a fright".

She said tonight's carols by candlelight service will still go ahead but is asking the congregation to use the light of their mobile phones.

The congregation used the light of their mobile phones after returning to the service

Dean Kelly-Moore said the cathedral was "beautifully quiet and candle lit" with the choir singing Silent Night when the fire alarm sounded.

"We very efficiently evacuated everyone and the fire brigade came," she said. "A big shout out to Herts Fire and Rescue who did a fantastic job for us."

She said after 25 minutes the congregation was back inside and "I invited people go a bit 21st century and put their phone torches on".

The cathedral's alarm system was tested on Friday. Dean Kelly-Moore said: "We're going to operate cautiously tonight.

"We've got another full house, and the cathedral will be decorated with lots of candles - we're confident to do that - but we don't want a repeat of last night."

About 1,400 people were evacuated from the carol service at St Albans Cathedral on Thursday

The cathedral, which dates to 1115, has welcomed thousands of people through its doors over the Christmas period with services continuing over the weekend.

Dean Kelly-Moore is hopeful Friday's service will be less eventful.

"Tonight we should have a more peaceful and silent night without those alarms sounding," she said.

One of the 1,500 candles lit in St Albans Cathedral at the Lessons and Carols service