SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KMTR) - Fire crews responded Saturday night to Gateway Mall after reports of flames from the roof. The fire occurred near the front entrance, close to the food court and Movies 12.
The mall evacuated shoppers around 8 PM as firefighters began extinguishing the flames. Witnesses said smoke was coming out of an area near the big Gateway Mall sign for several minutes, then flames burst out and that's when people began calling 911.
"I was in the theater and someone came in - I wish I could remember his exact words - but it was like 'a mandatory evacuation of the building, no need to panic'. So we got up and we walked out and when we did, we saw flames coming out of the corner there, just a small, pretty small fire," said Colleen Glassley.
Firefighters said most of the fire damage was contained to the electrical parts surrounding the sign.
Twenty-four firefighters and four engines were sent because of the high safety risk. No one was hurt in the incident.
The mall remained closed for the night.
