Mt Pleasant Centre bomb threat had workers and customers evacuated

Workers have recalled the moment an alarm sounded in a major Mackay shopping centre, triggering an evacuation after a bomb threat was phoned in.

Hundreds of workers were evacuated from a major Mackay shopping centre after a bomb threat was phoned in to a specialty retailer.

Emergency services swarmed the Mount Pleasant Centre after the call was made and reported about 9.15am.

Multiple police crews converged on the centre as customers and workers were asked to leave the centre as an alarm sounded.

Crowds were marshalled in the car park near KFC.

Emergency services swarmed the centre. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Flowers from Lisa staff member Ebony Svaikauscas said she shocked at the urgency behind the centre’s evacuation.

“It started as any normal day, we were setting up and then bang, the alarm sounded,” Ms Svaikauscas said.

“We’ve had evacuations before, usually if there’s been burnt toast.”

Hundreds of customers and workers were evacuated to the KFC car park. Picture: Lillian Watkins

“But this one was different, there was no normal build up of the alarm, and then police started to talk over the speaker.”

Ms Svaikauscas said that was when they knew it was serious.

She said workers only had time to pull down the roller door, leaving a lot of stock outside.