Federal Way, Washington, The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center was set for a thrilling final night at the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. But just as the platform divers prepared for a crucial round, a fire alarm rang through the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center, bringing everything to a halt. Confusion spread as officials ordered evacuation – sending athletes and spectators rushing outside. Swimmers stood in their knee skins, bracing against the cold, while lifeguards moved through the crowd offering towels. No immediate signs of danger, but the night had taken an unexpected turn.
According to the SwimsSwam website, at 8:12 p.m., fire department personnel arrived at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center, where spectators, athletes, and staff stood outside, waiting for answers. The final night of the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships had come to a sudden halt, leaving fans and competitors in the cold—literally.
What just happened? Was there a fire? Was the competition in jeopardy? By 8:19 p.m., officials gave the all-clear. Relief swept through the crowd as people began filing back inside, eager to restart the night’s events. Platform diving was rescheduled for 8:35 p.m., with the 400-yard freestyle relay pushed back to no earlier than 8:55 p.m.
Then, at 8:35 p.m., competition resumed. But one lingering question remained—what caused the evacuation? According to Kyle Sockwell, who posted on X, ESPN’s crew reported that a child may have been responsible for pulling the fire alarm. His post read: “The King County Aquatic Center is currently being evacuated and the ESPN crew just reported that they believe a child has pulled the fire alarm.”
The King County Aquatic Center is currently being evacuated and the ESPN crew just reported that they believe a child has pulled the fire alarm… pic.twitter.com/OyRlIEo84n
— Kyle Sockwell (@kylesockwell) March 23, 2025
The incident has sparked strong reactions from fans. Some expressed concern for safety, while others voiced frustration over the disruption. Social media buzzed with reactions—some blaming poor supervision, others noting the unusual frequency of such incidents. Fortunately, competition has resumed.
Fans in shock as Fire Alarm halts NCAA Championships
The final night of the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center had all the makings of a thrilling finish, until a fire alarm halted everything. Athletes, spectators, and officials were forced to evacuate, standing outside in the cold as uncertainty loomed. While the situation was eventually resolved, the unexpected disruption sparked a flurry of reactions online. Some fans pointed out the unusual pattern. “If I had a nickel for every time the fire alarm has gone off during a championship meet and had to evacuate in 2025, I would have two nickels. It isn’t much, but it’s weird it’s happened twice.”
Others focused on the safety of those involved. “Man, I hope everyone is safe. Saw the evacuations were still underway.” With little information at the time, concern was natural, especially given the size of the crowd and the presence of elite athletes in competition mode. But frustration was also evident. Some questioned whether better supervision could have prevented the alarm from being pulled. “Don’t let your kids wander. Bad parenting.” If the report of a child triggering the alarm is true, it raises discussions about parental responsibility in large public venues.
For the athletes, the delay was anything but ideal. “This is insane. I’d be fuming,” one fan wrote, likely echoing the emotions of swimmers and divers who had spent months preparing for this night. Still, some found a way to take it in stride. “Good thing it’s not a school night!” In the end, competition resumed.
Moving onto results Virginia dominated the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships once again, finishing with 544 points to secure their fifth straight title on Saturday, March 22. Stanford put up a fight but settled for second with 417 points.
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