MILLIONS OF PEOPLE watching a flagship news programme in the US last night were treated to an oddly amusing sight – as a fire alarm went off live in studio just as the broadcast began.

Brian Williams – a second-generation Irishman, considered one of the most authoritative news voices in the US – had just began a report on the bankruptcy of American Airlines when he was interrupted by a bell behind him.

He had read just one sentence before being interrupted by an announcement over the studio’s public address system – which kicked in after just four seconds of his broadcast.

“You’ll forgive us – we have a fire alarm going off in the studio,” Williams calmly quipped, before continuing his report on how the airline had lost €650m in the first nine months of the year.

45 seconds in, the announcement was replaced by a larger more prominent siren – but, unbowed, Williams still calmly handed over the broadcast to a reporter in Washington.

Total pro. Williams has hosted NBC’s nightly bulletins since 2004, and has been described as a “modern Walter Cronkite”, such is the universal respect he commands within the industry.

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