Chadstone Shopping Centre car park evacuated after car “exploded”
The car park at Chadstone Shopping Centre was lock down this afternoon, after a car caught fire on one of the lower levels.
More than 40 firefighters were called in to fight the blaze which began about 1.30pm, which is now under control.
3AW caller Deb said hundreds of people are stuck waiting to leave.
“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.”
The MFB have confirmed 11 cars have been damaged.
Fiona McKenzie, General Manager of Chadstone, told Justin Smith the MFB have advised her the fire was deemed an accident.
“Fortunately no one was injured but we do have a few cars that have been affected,” Fiona said.
“All other parts of the centre are open and trading.
“But it is safe, a confirmed accidental incident.”
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Jack said “the car park is completely full of black smoke.”
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Victoria Police say the cause has been deemed an accidental due to a vehicle fault.
Moira told Justin she saw the woman whose car caught fire, which she said was a “small, white, Hyundai type vehicle”.
“She was in tears,” Moira said.
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