Detroit's North American International Auto Show halls were evacuated yesterday when an electrical fire broke out above the Audi stand.
No one was hurt in the incident, and no exhibits were damaged, but the show was shut for several hours while the fire department extinguished the fire and ensured that safe conditions were restored. The show halls were reportedly evacuated in a matter of minutes – although some show visitors admitted they thought the smoke filling the halls was part of a launch.
"We happened to see a little more fog and somebody said they must have a fog machine at the Chrysler booth," Bill Malone, who was near the exhibit when the fire broke out, told reporters.
The show has now reopened, and anyone evacuated has been given the option of returning on another day free of charge. The show closes to the public this Sunday.