Hundreds of customers at an IKEA store in Exeter were evacuated and asked to abandon their purchases at the checkout due to an incident. The store clearance occurred around 1pm after a van hit a sprinkler system in an underground parking area, setting off fire alarms.
Witnesses stated that over 300 individuals were escorted out of the store as part of the car park was flooded. Staff members managed traffic flow, diverting vehicles away from the site following the evacuation.
Reports indicated that an alarm was triggered due to a technical issue with the parking lot’s sprinkler system. Customers were instructed to leave the premises before it was shut down.
IKEA Exeter confirmed the precautionary evacuation, citing a car park incident, and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to shoppers. The store was swiftly assessed and reopened within an hour, with safety protocols being strictly followed.
A spokesperson emphasized the priority of customer and staff safety, noting the rapid completion of the evacuation process and the store’s subsequent reopening. IKEA Exeter, inaugurated in 2018, is situated approximately four miles southeast of the city center, boasting a spacious car park with a capacity for up to 1,000 vehicles.
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