Twenty-five clubbers had to be rescued by firefighters after an illegal rave at a disused Huddersfield nightclub.

But fortunately the drama wasn’t for real.

Forty firefighters from across West Yorkshire descended on the former Ethos and Visage nightclubs at St Thomas’ Road, Folly Hall, on Friday morning for a training exercise.

Sirens blared out across Huddersfield as seven fire engines – including crews from Huddersfield and Rastrick – headed for the scene.

Fire crews found 15 ‘live’ casualties – played by public service students from Kirklees College in Huddersfield – and there were another 10 ‘unconscious’ casualties that needed to be rescued.

The unconscious casualties were only dummies – and no one died.

Watch manager Kevin Walsh, of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, hailed Exercise Fantazia a success and said: “We are very happy with the outcome. It’s all about evaluating search and rescue skills and assessing the leadership of officers.

“The incident was classed as an illegal party in a disused nightclub and search and rescue crews had to find their way around a complex building in the pitch black.

“The firefighters knew there were casualties but didn’t know where they were.”

Mr Walsh said the building was blacked out inside but it was decided not to use synthetic smoke which is often used in training exercises.

“We wanted to make it as realistic as possible,” said Mr Walsh. “The students were well briefed and played their roles very well.”

Similar exercises are held regularly by West Yorkshire Fire Service.