Fire Alarm Chaos at European Darts Grand Prix – Everyone Kicked Out Mid-Match

By Lewis Barnett 2 May, 2025 5 mins read 46 Views

Well, that was unexpected. Right as we were about to see Daniel Klose and Jermaine Wattimena face off, the whole damn place got evacuated. Fire alarms blaring, confused dart fans looking at each other like "is this part of teh show?" (It wasn't.)

I was literally just settling in with my overpriced beer at the Glaspalast in Munich when the sirens started. Perfect timing, right? Seven matches down, one to go for the afternoon session, and then... EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.

Hear the Summary

When German Efficiency Meets Complete Chaos

The afternoon had been going pretty smoothly until that point. Cameron Menzies, Martin Lukeman, and Luke Woodhouse had all thrown some decent darts and walked away with wins. The crowd was properly warmed up for what should've been a tasty final match between Klose and Wattimena.

But nope.

Instead, we all found ourselves standing outside in a crowd of irritated dart enthusiasts. The guy next to me – wearing a shirt with at least 17 beer stains – kept muttering "Unglaublich" under his breath. I don't speak German, but I'm pretty sure I got the gist.

So What Actually Happened?

Nobody really knows. Could've been someone smoking in the bathroom. Could've been an actual fire. Could've been a dart that went so wildly off course it somehow triggered the alarm system (kidding... I think).

What I do know is that back in 2019, I was at another darts tournament where someone accidentally set off the fire extinguisher, and that was a complete nightmare compared to this. At least this time I didn't have to throw away my clothes afterwards.

The Show Must Go On... Later

The PDC scrambled to reassure everyone that the Klose-Wattimena match wasn't canceled, just postponed. They've rescheduled it to kick off tonight's evening session at 7pm, before Ryan Searle, Mike De Decker and Raymond van Barneveld take the stage.

Listen. I've spent €120 on tickets and accommodation for this weekend. If they'd canceled altogether, I might have lost my mind. Though my buddy Dave texted me during the evacuation: "At least we can hit the biergarten early." Always looking on the bright side, that one.

The Crowd's Reaction? Exactly What You'd Expect

Social media lit up immediately. Half the crowd was posting videos of the evacuation, the other half complaining about it. One guy near me was livestreaming the whole thing while walking backwards and nearly fell over a barrier... which honestly might have been the most entertaining part of the afternoon.

I overheard one British fan say to his mate, "Came all the way from Leeds for this, and now I'm standing in a car park." Poor bloke.

Tonight's Lineup (Assuming No More Surprises)

So now we've got an extra match added to tonight's session. I'm actually not mad about it – more darts for the money. The evening lineup is looking pretty solid with Searle, De Decker, and the legendary Barney taking the stage.

I've got €30 riding on van Barneveld with my brother-in-law. He thinks the old man doesn't have it anymore, but I've seen Barney pull rabbits out of hats before. Those five world championships weren't accidents.

This story is still developing... much like my patience after standing outside for 45 minutes. More updates to come if anything else ridiculous happens. And knowing live darts events, it probably will.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

Statistics

In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.

External Links

How To

Setting Up Your Practice Space

The official height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the bullseye. The throwing line (oche) should be 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the board. I used to have mine hung too low and wondered why my game never improved at the pub! Measuring tape is your friend here.