Point Cook town centre: Shoppers evacuated in ‘hazmat’ incident

Shoppers were evacuated from the Point Cook town centre as emergency services rushed to handle a hazmat incident.

Shoppers were disrupted at the Point Cook town centre as emergency services conducted a “large evacuation” responding to a hazmat incident.

Firefighters from the Country Fire Association and Fire Rescue Victoria were called to the scene on Murnong Street at about 1.15pm on Tuesday over a “strong smell of gas” coming from the shopping district.

A member of the Point Cook Fire Brigade said the area was evacuated to ensure the safety of the public while crews investigated the source of the smell.

The strong smell was identified as an old vehicle in an underground car park that had produced “excessive exhaust fumes”, according to a Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman.

No injuries were reported and the structure was reopened to the public after the car park was ventilated to safe levels.