WAGS say show must go on after evacuation

Hundreds of people were evacuated on the final night of the WAGS Gang Show in Leamington after stage displays set off a fire alarm.
WAGS Gang Show 2016WAGS Gang Show 2016
WAGS Gang Show 2016

Firefighters were called to the Spa Centre during the Saturday evening performance of the Guiding and Scouting show after pyrotechnics on stage triggered the smoke alarms.

Over 500 audience members and almost 200 performers were ushered out to the car park during the interval for safety reasons.

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The show was given the all-clear after an extended interval of 15 minutes, and the last performance of the youth variety show’s five night run continued as planned.

WAGS Gang Show evacuationWAGS Gang Show evacuation
WAGS Gang Show evacuation

Tony Guy, Gang Show business director said despite the set back, members were determined not to let anything ruin the final night in the event’s 44th year.

He said: “The audience of 500 and backstage crew of 200 were evacuated from the Spa Centre during the interval when the fire alarm sounded.

“The audience were quickly evacuated and the fire brigade attended during the interval.

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“Luckily there was no fire and we were able to return to carry on just 15 minutes late.

WAGS Gang Show 2016WAGS Gang Show 2016
WAGS Gang Show 2016

“As is always the case, the show must go on.”

The popular week saw over 3,000 visitors through the doors over five days in what has been described as a “great success” by organisers.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire fire and Rescue service said: “The fire alarm was set off by smoke from the pyrotechnics from the show.

“One appliance attended but no further action was required.”

The Gang Show is held each year with a cast of around 140 performers aged between six and 25-years-old.