A MAJOR shopping centre was evacuated yesterday afternoon due to a fire caused by a spilt wok at a Chinese restaurant.
Firefighters from Poole were called to Real China, on a corner of Poole’s
Dolphin Centre next to the bus station, at around 2.15pm after a fire was reported in the kitchen.
Although the fire was small, and was extinguished by staff before Dorset Fire and Rescue Service arrived, the shopping centre was evacuated and a large crowd of shoppers and staff gathered on the opposite side of the road near the Lighthouse centre.
The incident commander, watch manager Paul Webber from Poole Fire Station, said a full evacuation is standard practice for shopping centres when the fire alarm is in “full activation”.
“The initial call was to a fire in the kitchen of the restaurant,” he said.
“On arrival we were informed that the fire had been tackled by two members of staff. As a precautionary measure two breathing apparatus were deployed in the kitchen on the first floor to ensure that the fire was out.
“The cause was a wok which flashed while being used in the preparation of food.”
The entrance to the restaurant was briefly cordoned off while crews went to work.
John Grinnell, Dolphin Centre manager said: “At 2.25pm today a fire was reported at Real China. For precaution, the shopping centre was evacuated and the fire brigade were on the scene immediately to contain the incident.”
Security staff allowed people back into the centre at around 3pm and the two fire crews remained at the scene for a further half an hour to ensure the premises were safe.
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