Hundreds of workers were evacuated from Auckland’s newest mall on Friday morning – only to be told there was no fire.
Seven fire crews were called to the Westfield Newmarket after smoke was apparently seen coming from the second floor of the building about 7.42am.
An alarm was set off by smoke during a routine test of diesel pumps, a Westfield Newmarket spokesperson said.
Fire and Emergency shift manager Craig Dally earlier told Stuff that there was a fire, but fire crews had left the scene by 9am.
Hundreds of workers and subcontractors were let back into the site about 8.45am.
Before then, hundreds of workers in hard hats were milling about outside the massive nearly finished site.
“There was no fire,” one supervisor said.
“There never was a fire.”
Another manager told workers: “You’re all good to go back in boys come on.”
A Hazmat Command unit and police were also at the site.
The mall was open and trading as normal just after 9am.
The $790 million flagship living centre has been under construction for two years and opened its doors on August 29.
The 4.5 hectare site consists of two buildings connected by a sky bridge and 2700 car parks.
The mall’s third and final stage is due to open in December and will add Auckland’s first David Jones, an H&M store and a Countdown supermarket.
Source - stuff
