Shoppers in IKEA in Ashton-under-Lyne were evacuated after the alarm was triggered twice due to 'technical issues', store bosses have confirmed.
Swathes of customers were evacuated from the homeware shop on Wellington Road at around 7.15pm last night (Thursday). Video footage showed people being guided out of the building as an alarm and speaker system sounded through the store.
One shopper who was leaving as the alarm sounded said: "We were already leaving as the announcement started and the security guy came running down the stairs and seemed so panicked telling us to leave immediately. The announcement said any children in the play area had already been evacuated and staff would help people find their kids."
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IKEA today said that the initial evacuation was triggered by 'technical issues'. A spokesperson for the store said that customers were evacuated 'swiftly and safely'.
They were allowed back inside, but then the system triggered another evacuation, the spokesperson added. Staff then closed the shop for the rest of the night.
Today, IKEA is back open as normal. In a statement, an IKEA spokesperson said "The safety of our customers and co-workers is always our highest priority.
"We can confirm that IKEA Manchester was evacuated yesterday evening at approximately 7:15pm due to technical issues. Following a swift and safe evacuation customers were allowed to return into the store shortly after.
"However, unfortunately, the system triggered another evacuation and to ensure the safety of our customers and co-workers we took the decision to close the store for the night. We’re happy to share that the store will be open today and we look forward to welcoming our customers and co-workers, we apologise for an inconvenience that this has caused.”
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