Palace of Westminster open as normal following smoke detector activation
31 August 2012 (updated on 31 August 2012)
Smoke detectors in the Palace activated in the early hours of Friday morning (31 August) linked to overnight works in the basement area.
While the alarms were being investigated, and as a precautionary measure, certain areas of the Palace were closed. Experts ran tests and at around 8am reassurance was provided so that the Palace could be accessed safely as usual.
Contrary to some media reports, there was no fire.