PORT ELIZABETH - PRANKSTER SETS OFF FIRE ALARM & SENDS SHOPPERS IN A PANIC AT GREENACRES SHOPPING CENTRE

A prankster who triggered a fire alarm at Greenacres Shopping Centre at the weekend set in motion a bizarre chain of events that sent hundreds of terrified shoppers fleeing for cover in the mistaken belief they were being attacked by gunmen.

The panic intensified when two loud bangs, mistaken for gunshots, were heard shortly after the evacuation alarm was sounded at about 3pm on Saturday.

Police officials from across Port Elizabeth, including the K9 unit, Flying Squad and Tactical Response Team, raced to investigate after the 10111 call centre was flooded with calls from panicked shoppers claiming gunmen had stormed the building.

Television star Connie Ferguson, who was at the centre to promote a body lotion branded under her name, was among those caught up in the mayhem.

Shoppers fled the centre in droves while others darted into nearby shops for cover. Several store workers shut the doors to their premises while, according to police, shoppers and staff lay on the ground.

Adding to the chaos, Fischer’s Jewellers staff triggered their smoke and panic alarm, which led to a plume of smoke filling the corridors near the shop.

Responding police surrounded the mall complex before storming the building, only to find the entire ordeal was sparked by a prankster who had triggered the food court fire alarm.

In a bid to quell fears of a robbery at the centre, Greenacres management took to Facebook to assure shoppers it was a false alarm.

VIA - heraldlive.co.za