Cars catch on fire at Chadstone Shopping Centre amid Christmas rush
It’s the rumour that just won’t die. A car fire at Chadstone Shopping Centre during the Christmas shopping rush also resuscitated well-worn gossip about an impending terror attack at the major southeast Melbourne complex.
VIC News
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It’s the rumour that just won’t die.
A car fire at Chadstone Shopping Centre during the Christmas shopping rush yesterday also resuscitated well-worn gossip about an impending terror attack at Melbourne’s biggest shopping complex.
Victoria Police has debunked the conspiracy fears, saying the fire was caused by a car fault.
But the story — invariably involving a good Samaritan being warned of an attack by someone who is Muslim — just won’t go away.
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“Police are aware of comments on social media which references remarks in regard to a shopping centre in Chadstone,” Victoria Police tweeted this week.
“Similar comments have been received in the past and are not being treated as credible. As such, we would encourage the community to not share misinformation.
”Victoria Police is not aware of any direct threat to the Victorian Community. Our preparation and planning for the security and safety of the up and coming Christmas holiday period has been extensive and we encourage everyone to enjoy the festivities.”
At the height of the fire drama yesterday, shoppers were evacuated and the car park closed.
Flames engulfed three cars with 40 firefighters called in to fight the blaze.
The car park — on the Dandenong Rd side of the centre near David Jones — was evacuated and thick smoke blanketed the area, with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade calling on the public to stay clear.
The fire started because of a vehicle fault and spread to cars parked nearby, Victoria Police said.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Natalie Butler said: “There was a controlled partial evacuation of the shopping centre due to the smoke.
“The fire is deemed accidental due to a vehicle fault.”
But that didn’t stop people posting all sorts of claims on social media.
These shocking rumours are being circulated about Chadstone... @VictoriaPolice pls ensure you guys are all over this! @7NewsMelbourne @9NewsMelb @10NewsFirst @fashion_capital pic.twitter.com/NOcoIMSqYu
— Rupert Condon (@RupertCondon) December 18, 2018
Police were forced to address rumours about the risk of an impending attack at Chadstone just days before the fire.
Concerned members of the community tweeted authorities about the reoccuring rumour, doing the rounds on social media, earlier in December.
On Thursday, authorities closed one entrance to the shopping centre from Dandenong Rd.
This initially caused delays for traffic on Dandenong Rd, Belgrave Rd and Chadstone Rd.
People were urged to take Warrigal Rd instead.
More than 40 firefighters battled the blaze after they were called just before 1.40pm.
The fire was brought under control just before 2.30pm.
Eyewitnesses posted video of a car on fire in the undercover car park, showing a large amount of smoke and flames.
Caller Deb told 3AW that hundreds of shoppers were stuck during the drama.
“There’s been a car on fire opposite David Jones on one of the lower levels,” she said.
“But disruptions have been huge. They’ve told us the car park may not be open for another hour yet.
“There are literally hundreds and hundreds of people waiting, and when we try to get out there will be the mother of all traffic jams.”
A witness told the Herald Sun she saw big plumes of smoke.
“There were Chadstone security or staff members directing traffic to prevent people from parking in the car park. There was a heavy police presence and fire trucks on the scene,” she said.
“Chadstone Rd is blocked off, or was blocked off, near the McDonald’s.
“The smoke was quite thick when you’re at the roundabout near Capital Kitchen … If you’re looking out at the car park, the smoke was so thick you couldn’t see through it.”
“It looked like it was just foggy, that’s how thick it was.
“There were lots of people outside the shopping centre, shoppers, people who were waiting for the Chadstone bus. They were all evacuated.”
At the height of the drama, a Chadstone Shopping Centre spokeswoman told the Herald Sun the car park had been evacuated and no one else was being allowed into the shopping centre at the time.
Those inside were also not able to leave.
Nobody was hurt.
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