South Aussie punters flee Morphettville Racecourse before big race after fire alarm went off

Thousands of well-dressed attendees had to be evacuated from Adelaide’s premier Melbourne Cup event at Morphettville Racecourse after a fire alarm went off. Watch video.

South Australian racegoers were not deterred from creating their own slice of the Melbourne Cup in Adelaide despite rain and a fire scare threatening to derail the festivities.

Punters were dressed to impress at Morphettville Racecourse on Tuesday, with ladies in their best florals and millinery and men donning their finest suits and ties.

The event drew personalities such as recently retired Crows legend Rory Sloane.

But before Knight’s Choice won the 164th Melbourne Cup at Flemington, in Adelaide, thousands were evacuated from Morphettville Racecourse.

It was smoke from an outdoor kitchen which caused the fire alarm about 1pm and the resulting evacuation of punters from the venue.

The kitchen exhaust blew smoke into the jockeys room and forced revellers out of the main building into the rain.

Racegoers at Morphettville racecourse were evacuated due to a fire alarm. Picture: Ruby Stewart

Racegoers at Morphettville Racecourse pose with firefighters during evacuations. Picture: Ruby Stewart

But soon after the alarm started, it was fixed and the Metropolitan Fire Service gave the all clear, with people soon back inside enjoying the hospitality.

A Metropolitan Fire Service spokesman confirmed the alarm was triggered by cooking fumes and that two appliances quickly arrived and reset the alarm.

Racegoers saw the funny side, posing in their glamorous outfits with the fireys and they all received a free drink for the trouble.

Racegoers at Morphettville racecourse were evacuated due to a fire alarm. L to R: Patricia Rowe, Janice Baker and Willa Wanke. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

Janice Baker and friends Patricia Rowe and Willa Wanke fled the Terrace Bar with a bottle in one hand and a champagne flute in the other.

Ms Baker and Ms Wanke came from Canada to see the races but were shocked when they had to evacuate.

“I was very confused, I was thinking ‘do we take our champagne or do we leave our champagne?’,” Ms Wanke said.

More than 600 people attended a charity luncheon at Adelaide Oval supporting Sammy D Foundation and HAS Foundation.

Entertainers included Michaela Burger, of Simply Brill fame, Hans and Finesse models showcasing fashion from Burnside Village.