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Smoke Alarm at The Shard: London's Tallest Skyscraper Evacuated

London’s tallest skyscraper, The Shard, was evacuated following reports of a fire Thursday, fire officials said.
Laser beams are seen at the Shard during the laser and searchlight show which marks the completion of the exterior of the Shard building in central London
A laser show marked the completion of 1,016-foot Shard building in central London in 2012.Olivia Harris / Reuters, file

London’s tallest skyscraper, The Shard, was evacuated following reports of a fire Thursday, fire officials said.

About 900 workers were led out of the 87-storey, 1,000 feet tall building after smoke was reported in the basement at about 10:30 a.m. local time (5:30 a.m. ET).

No injuries were reported and there was “no suggestion” that a fire was burning, the London Fire Brigade said in a statement.

Water was pumped into the basement and the smoke was dissipating, fire officials said.

Laser beams are seen at the Shard during the laser and searchlight show which marks the completion of the exterior of the Shard building in central London
A laser show marked the completion of 1,016-foot Shard building in central London in 2012.Olivia Harris / Reuters, file

It is thought to be the first time the building – the tallest in the European Union – has been completely evacuated.

Alastair Jamieson