Emergency Evacuation at 'The View' Studio Just Before Live Show

'The View' Hosts Were Forced to Evacuate the Studio Due to a Fire Moments Before Going Live

ABC/Lou Rocco

An alarming incident backstage at The View took “Hot Topics” to a whole new level. After walking out to Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” on the Wednesday, April 10, episode, moderator Whoopi Goldberg explained the song choice had very significant meaning for the daytime panel.

Goldberg, who is 68 years old, mentioned that a fire at the Tamron Hall Show studios nearby caused the building to evacuate just as The View was getting ready to start filming.

"We're not sure who started the fire," she stated. "And we don't know what caused it."

While Goldberg and her cohosts had to evacuate the building, Ana Navarro had a different experience. As she was on her way to The View's ABC Studios in New York City, she tried to join the 'Hot Topics' meeting via Zoom. However, she was surprised to find the room dark, empty, with alarms blaring and lights flashing. She thought, 'Holy hell!'

'The View' Hosts Were Forced to Evacuate the Studio Due to a Fire Moments Before Going Live

ABC/Jeff Lipsky

Farah Griffin, who is 34 years old, laughed about how the situation helped her realize that saving The View producer Brian Teta wasn’t her top priority in an emergency.

She humorously shared, “It really made me understand what matters most to me. When I saw that all the hosts were okay, I immediately thought, ‘Where's my glam team?’ I mean, forget about Brian, as long as my hair and makeup team are safe.”

Behar, who is 81 years old, also agreed, saying that it is quite risky for people to see them in public without their hair and makeup done.

The chaos made Hostin, who is 55 years old, feel overwhelmed as she struggled to decide what she should bring along with her.

She mentioned leaving her purse in her dressing room but made sure to take her phone with her. Goldberg supported Hostin's mindset by saying, "In situations like that, always remember to grab your phone first because that's your identification!"

Behar, 81, disclosed that the fire began in Tamron Hall's kitchen, although specific details about the incident were limited. Goldberg clarified that even though it was Hall's kitchen, it does not necessarily mean that she was the one present in it.

Goldberg shared an interesting theory with Hostin when they wondered what could have been cooking. "Maybe they were cooking each other," Goldberg said. "I don't know!"

Hall, 53, provided more context as she began her show on Wednesday without a studio audience. She explained that the absence of the audience was due to "a grease fire in our kitchen."

Hall explained that they were all set for the live show that day. The audience was getting ready in the holding area, excited to come out and enjoy the amazing show.

After the building was evacuated, Hall reassured everyone that they were all safe.

Hall expressed her gratitude to the firefighters who responded to the scene and to the audience who remained calm and excited, many of whom traveled from different parts of the country to attend the show. She also extended her thanks to the team for their support. As a result of the situation, Hall decided to air a replay of the April 8 episode of her show.

Editor's P/S:

The backstage incident at "The View" highlights the importance of safety and preparedness in the face of an emergency. While the hosts and crew handled the evacuation calmly, their initial reactions and subsequent reflections reveal the human element involved in such situations. The prioritization of personal safety, including the concern for their glam teams, adds a humorous touch to the otherwise serious event.

The fire's origin in Tamron Hall's kitchen raises questions about potential negligence or safety hazards. Goldberg's speculation about "cooking each other" adds a touch of levity, but it also underscores the need for proper kitchen practices and equipment maintenance. Hall's prompt response to the incident and her decision to replay a previous episode demonstrate her professionalism and commitment to her audience's safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of emergencies and the importance of having evacuation plans and procedures in place to ensure the well-being of all involved.