ITV primetime show suspended: fire engines called to set in 'carnage' car blaze

ITV's latest project, You Bet! saw its production come to an abrupt stop after a conflagration turned the set into utter chaos. Host Stephen Mulhern was in the midst of filming for the new series when a catastrophic car fire unfolded, wreaking havoc as reported.

Mulhern was reportedly shooting an Emmerdale-themed special when the emergency services had to dispatch two fire engines to the calamitous scene. The fire began with one car and swiftly engulfed vans filled with crew equipment, inflicting damage on thousands of pounds worth of gear and leading executives to suspend filming.

Eyewitnesses have described the scene as absolute "carnage."

An onlooker relayed details to the Daily Mail: "The blaze just started from a random vehicle which then resulted in vans used by the crew also go up in flames," noting the ensuing pandemonium but fortuitously no injuries. "There was obvious panic and it's a miracle nobody was harmed," reports the Mirror.

Furthermore, the source revealed: "The fire started within close proximity of the soap and thankfully didn't spread inside where filming takes place."

Stephen ventured to the set of Emmerdale, which is located at Harewood House near Leeds, to film a segment for You Bet! that's slated for the forthcoming series. In each episode, Stephen presents celebrities with predictions on whether challengers can accomplish specific feats.

Addressing the incident, a You Bet! representative told the media outlet: "Following an incident that was unrelated to filming, production for You Bet! was suspended as a precaution."

The fire services evaluated the situation, confirming that there were no injuries or anyone affected. The statement emphasised: "The situation was promptly assessed by the fire services and no-one was injured or affected. The health and safety of all individuals involved in the making of the programme remains our highest priority."

West Yorkshire Fire Service reported: "We were called at 15.57 on Friday to reports of a small vehicle on fire on Harewood Avenue. We sent two crews, Moortown and Wetherby."

They added: "On arrival this was found to be two vehicles on fire which crews extinguished. No reports of any injuries. The cause has been recorded as accidental."

Despite the blaze, filming for the show is set to proceed this week. ITV's You Bet! made a comeback last Christmas with two episodes, presented by Stephen and Holly Willoughby.

Holly will not be hosting the new series but is slated to feature in one episode. The celebrity panel will boast names like Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Alesha Dixon, Johnny Vegas, Alison Hammond, Josie Gibson, Danny Jones, and Oti Mabuse.

Joining them are Rylan Clark, Judi Love, Josh Widdicombe, Alex Brooker, Babatunde Aleshe, Eddie Kadi, Will Best, Nick Mohammed, AJ Odudu, Greg Rutherford, and the Thomas brothers from soap fame, Adam and Ryan.

Reflecting on Holly's departure, Stephen shared with the Mirror: "I'm gutted she's not doing You Bet - but I've had time to think about it. We've filmed one episode already and it felt very comfortable and it felt good. And I think maybe it is just a one presenter show."

Chris Evans reflected on the show's revival, saying, "Bruce Forsyth was the first person to do it, and he did it on his own. Matthew Kelly made it the best show on the telly. So maybe it's happened for the right reasons."

Evans also gave a sneak peek into the revamped show, You Bet on Tour, stating, "This time we're hitting the road! Each week I'll be joined by a top celeb panel, as our challengers take on some brilliantly bonkers and amazing challenges. With the title of You Bet Champion on the line, it's going to be unbelievable from the start."

The Mirror has reached out to ITV for comment.