Fire Evacuates NorthPark Center, No Injuries Reported

by Sean Charles on Jun 19, 2012 in News

Following damage to skylights in recent severe hail storms, Dallas’ NorthPark Center suffered yet another minor emergency this Monday, June 18th.

Shortly after shopping hours began at 10 a.m., two alarms sounded, alerting guests and staff to a fire. Smoke quickly filled ventilation systems throughout the mall, as NorthPark officials snapped to action, evacuating all shoppers and center employees. Soon, side streets and courtyards were filled with onlookers, chatting as they watched smoke rise to the sky. Taking to their hand-held devices, Fire at NorthPark quickly became a trending topic on social media platforms.

Witness accounts via Twitter and Facebook described the scene as relatively calm, surely due to the center’s organized evacuation. In fact, some activities seemed hardly affected at all, save for a change of scenery. To wit, hair stylist Gregg Asher is seen here mid-situation, completing a client’s cut al fresco.

In short order, the Dallas Fire Department contained the blaze, and it was soon revealed to have been sparked by a grease fire at Panda Express in the second floor Food Court. Damages, though visible, were not extensive.  Further, according to a statement released by NorthPark Center on Facebook, no injuries were reported.

Following the action-filled morning, the mall re-opened just before noon. The photo taken here shows a Food Court nearly back-to-normal. Panda Express remains closed, but all neighboring restaurants are open and fully operational.

(Photo credits, from top: Lead image via PamelaHNelson.com, 1. Amanda Guerra via Facebook, 2. DFW Style Daily)