By Casey Neill
An emergency evacuation at Dandenong Plaza left movie-goers stranded and confused, says one Dandenong man.
Dandenong Plaza centre manager Mark Tannahill said extreme heat conditions caused a fault in the late afternoon on Sunday 28 January that resulted in a centre evacuation.
“Our security guards followed evacuation protocols which places safety as the number one priority,” he said.
“As such, our security team had to work swiftly to ensure that customers exited the centre safely and did not re-enter until an all clear had been given.
“We sincerely apologise that some customers were inconvenienced.”
Gerhard Vervoorst, on the Journal’s Facebook page, shared his concerns about how the centre managed the incident.
“While we were watching the movie some kind of emergency had happened,” he said.
“Nobody was aware of it at all.
“When the movie finished the shutter at the cinema exit was closed, but was opened very quickly.”
He said the 20 or so movie-goers tried to use the nearest escalator but it was fenced off.
“Nobody knew what was going on,” he said.
“There were no emergency signs or anything of that kind in sight.”
Mr Vervoorst said a security guard came forward and they asked him how to reach their cars.
He said the guard’s response was “emergency” and “go outside”.
Most people did head out of the centre at that point, he said, but encountered closed car park entry points and no signage or in-person assistance.
“The experience was absolutely shocking,” he said.
“We had to help an elderly couple with water and help them find their car.
“Clear direction – at least some signs – would help.
“Pointing out the nearest way out would also be a nice idea.”
