BBC Radio 5 Live went off air today and switched to emergency pre-recorded audio when the studio was evacuated mid-way through a live broadcast.

Confused and concerned listeners took to Twitter on Wednesday just before 2pm to ask what was happening after hearing an evacuation alert in the background of Afternoon Edition.

The two presenters had been in the middle of an interview when it suddenly cut out and instead listeners heard the message: "You’re listening to BBC Radio 5 Live. We’re sorry we can’t bring you the scheduled programme at the moment.

"We’ll return to it as soon as we can.’

(Image: BBC)

Listeners voiced their concern on Twitter, especially as the evacuation came two days after a terror attack in Manchester killed 22 people and injured more than 50 others.

One Twitter user said: "Just listening to Radio 5 Live when alarms sounded and presenters said they had to evacuate. Hope all is okay."

Another said: "BBC Radio 5 Live studios have just been evacuated live on air. Hopefully nothing serious."

BBC radio presenter Natalie-Eve Williams confirmed the evacuation in a tweet which read: "My work building is now being evacuated! Stay safe."

Fellow journalist Kate West uploaded a video, showing people congregating outside the building. Her caption read: "Update: just BBC Quay House is being evacuated."

Around 10 minutes later, the programme was back on air.

Listeners were told by co-host Sarah Brett: "Thank you for bearing with us. It was a fire alarm in case you're just joining us and everybody evacuated the building here at Media City."

She added: "There is no incident. Everybody is okay and we're back on air."

(Image: BBC)

Sarah, who hosts Afternoon Edition with Nihal Arthanayake, again repeated the message later in the broadcast, saying: "Thank you for bearing with us during that tape. We are back in the studio and all is very well."

Journalist Kate West confirmed: "All over. Everyone heading back to their desks now."

A tweet sent by MediaCityUK added: "There has been a fire evacuation at Quay House where BBC 5 Live is based. False alarm, everyone is now back inside safely, business as usual."