Bluewater shopping centre evacuated as police and firefighters set up cordon

Shoppers at the Bluewater shopping centre in Stone, Kent, were evacuated this afternoon after emergency crews descended on the building. Police and Firefighters set up a cordon and evacuated part of the massive shopping centre following what is believed to be an electrical fire. According to local reports first responders were called to an electrical fire at an EE store. Shoppers said they were evacuated from part of the premises at about 3pm, KentOnline reports. Around an hour later shoppers were allowed back inside, while the cordon remains in place, covering an area between Slim Chicken and the Black Sheep Coffee on the upper level. The lower level also has a cordon covering part of it. Kent police have said that officers were called at 3:45 to reports of a fire at a business in the centre. Officers attended the scene and assisted fire crews. There were no reported injuries. Shoppers reported being told to leave the area before being allowed back. There were reports of emergency service vehicles parked outside the retail centre. One visitor said "I saw firefighters coming out of the EE store. It doesn’t look badly damaged.” The Mirror has contacted Bluewater and Kent Fire Service for a comment. This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link . You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage .