Christmas shoppers evacuated from Rotorua Central mall

Rotorua Central Mall was evacuated after a fire alarm was triggered. Photo / File

Up to 500 people have been evacuated from Rotorua Central mall due to a fire alarm going off.

The alarm went off about 10.30am today sending staff and shoppers to the car park.

An employee at a shop inside the mall said the place had been "buzzing with last minute Christmas shoppers".

"There were at least 200 people in the mall."

She said the Rotorua Fire Brigade arrived on the scene before they were allowed back in.

Rotorua Fire Brigade senior station officer Jim Prescott said it was closer to 400-500 people who were evacuated.

"It appears to be just a hiccup in the system somewhere, no fire."

He said hopefully this would be the last hiccup over Christmas.

"We will be here though, all the way through, just in case."