A fire that forced the evacuation of an Altona shopping centre late yesterday afternoon, is being treated as suspicious.
Firefighters were called to the Altona Gate shopping centre on Millers Road shortly before 4pm on Tuesday, October 15, after reports that a fire had broken out inside the centre’s Kmart store.
Crews wearing breathing apparatus worked through heavy smoke and low visibility caused by the store’s sprinkler system, to find the source of the blaze in several clothing racks.
More than 200 people were evacuated from the shopping centre, but there were no injuries.
The fire was brought under control by about 4.20pm with the shopping centre sustaining smoke and water damage.
The incident has been deemed suspicious and is being investigated by Victoria Police.
Altona Gate has reopened for trading today, but the Kmart store remains closed.
