Don’t panic! It’s just an evacuation drill, says Pavilion management
According to the centre management, the evacuation and arrival of the fire department was a drill to ensure readiness in case of a real fire.
SHOPPERS at Westville’s Pavilion Shopping Centre found themselves caught up in an emergency drill as they were evacuated from the stores earlier today.
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Evacuation
Shoppers, including Bradley Yon who sent the Highway Mail pictures of the emergency response vehicles, were ushered out of the stores as the centre was cleared.
“At the Pavilion now, we have been asked to leave because of a possible fire,” said Yon angrily before sharing photos he had taken from outside where he and other shoppers congregated just after 9.35am.
Fire drill
According to Shanneth Jetnarayan from the centre’s management office, the evacuation was a drill.
Jetnarayan said no one had been harmed by the exercise.
“There was never a fire in the centre, but we have to do drills to ensure that if there ever is, we know all our procedures are in place,” she said.
Yon said no less than three fire engines and a Metro police van had arrived at the scene following the drill. There also seemed to be an ambulance on the scene.
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“The shoppers are all being allowed back into the centre,” Jetnarayan told the Highway Mail just after 10.15am today.
Yon confirmed that he and other shoppers had been able to return to their shopping a little after 10am.
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