The City 2 shopping mall, situated on Rue Neuve in Brussels, experienced a sudden evacuation this past Saturday around noon, causing brief panic among tourists present at the site.
According to Walter Derieuw, spokesperson for the Brussels firefighters, the evacuation was prompted by a small fire originating from the Boni store within the mall. Fortunately, firefighters were able to respond swiftly to the incident and extinguish the blaze before it could escalate.
Derieuw noted, "C'était un incident minime" (It was a minor incident), providing reassurance to both the mall's staff and its visitors. He emphasized how quickly the situation was brought under control and confirmed, "Tout était rentré dans l'ordre assez rapidement" (Everything returned to normal quite quickly).
Despite the fire, no serious injuries were reported, and the two-story City 2 mall was effectively cleared of visitors without significant trouble. Most of the tourists reacted with surprise, unsure of what was occurring when the alarms sounded and personnel began ushering everyone outside.
Witnesses described hearing alarms followed by announcements urging shoppers to exit. The prompt action of the mall's security personnel allowed for the orderly evacuation of its approximately 30 stores and kiosks.
Firefighters arrived at the scene minutes after the first alarm was triggered. Their rapid deployment quashed fears of danger, preventing any potential spread of smoke or flames. By the time they arrived, the fire had already been contained to the Boni store, prompting the firefighters to assess and extinguish it quickly.
Thanking the emergency services for their diligent work, Derieuw reiterated the importance of swift responses during such situations. Giving reassurance to those worried about returning to the mall, he stated the importance of safety protocols followed during emergencies like this.
The City 2 shopping mall has since reopened, signaling to the public its commitment to safety and customer experience. Management is currently reviewing their emergency protocols to prevent any similar situation from occurring in the future.
This incident exemplifies the effectiveness of emergency services and their ability to maintain safety within public spaces, easing the minds of shoppers and visitors to the area.
