Chadstone Shopping Centre locked down after car fire

Shoppers have been evacuated and a car park closed after three cars caught fire amid the Christmas rush at Chadstone Shopping Centre.

A car has exploded inside a packed shopping centre car park amid the Christmas rush in Melbourne.

Chadstone Shopping centre has been evacuated and the car park closed after the car became engulfed in flames and spread to several nearby cars in the vicinity of Dandenong Road and Chadstone Road this afternoon.

The eastern side of the centre is still operational, according to authorities. Video posted to social media show flames billowing from the vehicle in the lower-ground carpark near David Jones.

Police confirmed the fire has been “deemed non-suspicious” despite rumours circulating on social media over the last few days that there might be a terror attack at the site.

To the Melburnians who are going to do shopping at Chadstone,dont.Terrorist attack planned,from the mouths of moderate muslims who have heard rumours in their Islamic community.

— TheRightStuff (@TheRightStuff17) December 18, 2018

On December 18, police responded to the reports online and described them as “misinformation”.

In a statement issued this afternoon, a Victoria Police spokesperson said “the fire is deemed accidental due to a vehicle fault”.

“The smoke and fire impacted other vehicles in the car park,” it read.

“There was a controlled partial evacuation of the shopping centre due to the smoke.

“The MFB is removing the smoke from the car park and monitoring air quality.

“The eastern side of the shopping centre is still operational.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said paramedics were on standby, but there were no reports of injuries.

(1/2) Police are aware of comments on social media which references remarks in regard to a shopping centre in Chadstone. 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 (@VictoriaPolice) December 18, 2018

Car explosion at Chadstone in Melbourne. Centre evacuated but patrons not allowed to get to their car #chadstone #explosion pic.twitter.com/Mu0phXLK4E

— ellasymon (@ellasymon1) December 20, 2018

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) was called to the centre at 1.40pm and 50 fire fighters brought the blaze under control by 2.27pm but as of 3pm shoppers were still being evacuated. Thick smoke was billowing through the car park and people were being told to avoid the area.

A witness told the Herald Sun she saw plumes of smoke in the distance.

“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.”

According to @fashion_capital staff, a car has exploded in the car park. No shoppers allowed back to their cars. Five days before Christmas, the shopping centre is packed to the rafters. #chadstone

— Jack Morphet (@JackMorphet) December 20, 2018

Emergency Victoria has issued an Advice warning for people in Chadstone, Hughesdale, Malvern East and Oakleigh.

“Community are asked to avoid the area and ensure the roads are clear so emergency services can respond.”

Sprawling 190,000 square-metres, Chadstone is the biggest shopping centre in Australia.

(3/3) The rest of the centre is not affected, and continues to trade.
We will continue to provide regular updates as to when we can open the car park, and as always the safety and wellbeing of our customers, retailers and team is our primary concern.

— Chadstone Shopping (@fashion_capital) December 20, 2018

One entrance to Chadstone shopping centre from Dandenong Road as been closed by @VictoriaPolice, following a car fire in an undercover car park. That car park remains closed. Delays for Dandenong Road, Belgrave Road and Chadstone Road. Consider Warrigal Road instead. #victraffic

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) December 20, 2018

[e-mail] | @Megan_Palin