Cavendish Square evacuated after fire breaks out in parking area
INFERNO: A fire truck stands outside Cavendish Square in Claremont after a blaze forced the evacuation of shoppers on Tuesday
Image: ARMAND HOUGH
Cavendish Square in Claremont was evacuated on Tuesday after a fire broke out.
The City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue spokesperson, Edward Bosch said emergency crews were called just before noon and found smoke billowing from the mall's third-floor parking level.
"Just before 12pm, [we] received a call of a fire on one of the parking levels," he said of the incident at the shopping centre which is home to 180 stores.
"Upon arrival, crews discovered smoke issuing from the roof of the mall.
"Law enforcement was requested to assist with evacuating users from the building.
"Crews have managed to locate the seat of the fire, which is on the parking three level on the third floor."
Bosch said preliminary reports suggested the fire was coming from the extractor fans.
"Firefighting efforts are currently under way."
IOL approached the mall for comment by email, which will be added once received.
Phone calls went unanswered.
When IOL arrived at the scene, the fire had been brought under control and the mall had reopened for business.
The smell of smoke still hung in the air as crowds of onlookers gathered.
The mall is no stranger to fires.
In 2013, the mall was evacuated because of a fire in its airconditioning system.
In another incident in 2014, a man allegedly set a clothing store alight at the mall.
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