UK parliament briefly evacuated

A fire alert has sparked the brief evacuation of the UK parliament, a Reuters witness said.

The British parliament has been briefly evacuated due to a fire alert, a Reuters witness said.

A message over the PA system urged people to leave the building. Lawmakers were also asked to leave the area as a loud alarm sounded.

The alarm ended around 20 minutes later and lawmakers, staff and journalists were allowed back into the Palace of Westminster.