Fire delays play at UK Snooker Championships in York

Snooker fans were evacuated from York Barbican on Sunday evening

Snooker players and fans had to be evacuated from the UK Championships at the York Barbican after a fire broke out in the foyer.

The fire was detected just before 19:00 GMT on Sunday, minutes before the evening session was about to resume.

Crews from York, Acomb and Huntington tackled the fire, which was caused by an overheated ventilation fan, North Yorkshire Fire Service said.

The incident delayed play in the tournament by about an hour.

During the delay players were ushered to the warmth of a nearby pub.

When play resumed Hossein Vafaei beat Shaun Murphy 6-4

Following the delay, the match between Hossein Vafaei and Shaun Murphy resumed with Vafaei beating Murphy 6-4.

Matthew Selt, who defeated fellow Englishman Ali Carter 6-3 in Sunday evening's other match, told BBC Sport: "I was in the practice room when the guy came in screaming saying we needed to evacuate.

"We were all still pretty chilled but hopefully we don't have to go through that again.

"We got over to the pub in the warmth, because it would have been not so nice to be out in the cold for 40 minutes. It was a weird evening but it turned out all right in the end [for me]."

An overheated ventilation fan was the cause of the incident, the fire service said

World Snooker Tour confirmed: "The Fire Brigade identified a small fire in the reception of the York Barbican.

"It has now been put out and the building has been adjudged as safe for fans and players to return."

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "York, Acomb and Huntington crews attended a building, following a report of smoke inside.

"On arrival, crew located an overheated ventilation fan."