Fringe venue evacuated as fire breaks out

Comic Connor Burns abandons show a few minutes in

Connor Burns had to abandon his Edinburgh Fringe show last night when a fire broke out in the venue.

Just The Tonic’s Nucleus building was evacuated when the blaze was found in the bathroom just before 10pm

It was extinguished by security staff before the fire brigade arrived.

Just the Tonic director Darrell Martin said: ‘What idiot goes into a toilet and has a sneaky fag and then puts it out in the tissue filled bin in the cubicle? Anyway, luckily no one was harmed, and not too much damage was done. I’m just so pleased it was dealt with so quickly by the team.’

And Burns said: ‘I was gutted to lose my sold-out Friday night show which for the three minutes I was on stage was the funniest crowd a comedian could possibly want to have. Happily, everyone is OK.’

A replacement show is being added at 11pm tonight and he comic said: ‘Hopefully most of the folks who missed out on Friday might be able to come along. I’d say there’ll be fireworks to celebrate but, well…. you know.’

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Published: 17 Aug 2024