THE COLONNADE MALL on Broad Street was evacuated for about two hours today due to a foul odour.
What was initially suspected to be a gas leak turned out to be a faulty electrical ballast.
Police and fire officials responded to the situation around 9:15 a.m. and quickly cordoned off the area.
Thirteen firemen, and three fire tenders under the command of Station Officer Henderson Patrick, responded to the report.
Police public relations officer Acting Inspector Roland Cobbler said the building was evacuated around 9:30 a.m. as a team of fire officers entered the building to conduct an initial investigation.
“Having conducted their investigations, fire officials determined that the building was safe for the experts to enter to conduct a further investigation into the source of the pungent smell. In this regards personnel from the National Petroleum Corporation and Williams Electrical were allowed to enter the building to conduct their investigations.
“The source of the pungent smell was subsequently identified by personnel from Williams Electrical as a faulty electrical ballast. This issue was quickly rectified, and occupants of the building were allowed to reenter the building at 11:15 a.m. Cobbler said. (PR/NB)