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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Victoria Scheer

Leeds Festival like a 'war zone' as 'terrified' music fans flee the site as 'tents burn around them'

There were chaotic scenes at Leeds Festival last night as tents were set on fire and youngsters leaving early but finding themselves stranded. Some say they became stuck in the car park for hours because of the fires.

Videos posted online show multiple tents on fire with those attending describing the scenes as "carnage" and a "literal war zone". Teenagers and young adults can be seen throwing rubbish and cans into one of the fires and screaming when it resulted in a "mini explosion".

The festival, which kicked off on Friday, left some feeling so unsafe, they decided to leave early. However, many took to social media to complain that they then got stuck in the car park park for up to three hours.

Read more: Follow live updates as thousands leave Leeds Festival and clean-up begins

Tori Gill tweeted: "Apparently carnage on the last night at Leeds Festival. Husband nearly there to get the kids but not one is answering their phone."

Aaron Bates said: "Orange camp at Leeds was a literal war zone never seen anything like it in my life."

A fire at Leeds Festival in the early hours of this morning (Twitter/@olly14605012)

@lovesinging1 wrote: "Just in from a five hour round trip to collect daughter and friends from Leeds for same reason. Appalling..daughter spoke of security staff with training handbooks still in hands, open snorting of cocaine and other drugs.

"She said open drug taking was literally everywhere you looked."

Georgia said: "3 hours trying to get out the car park and still waiting, oh and Leeds is on fire."

Debbie commented: "Leeds festival fires causing gridlock in carparks. Very worrying videos and messages from my sons trying to leave. No security. Not good enough."

And Olly shared a video of a huge fire on the campsite, saying: "Loved the scenes at Leeds tonight."

The official Twitter account for Reading and Leeds Festival today tweeted: "#RandL22 was MAGICAL. Can't believ it's over. Bring on 2023!"

But Lynne Di Biasio replied saying: "So instead of tweeing about next year, what is your advice to the terrified kids on campsites whose tents are being burned and the parents who know there's no point trying to drive to get them coz no one can get anywhere near your site."

Gill Anderson said: "It's absolutely unbelievable that our kids are sat terrified witnessing tents burning around them. Why is nobody there to help!!! Parents are driving to try and rescue but can't get near the place as it's gridlocked for miles."

Festival organisers as well as West Yorkshire Police have been approached for more information.

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