Subway confirms no explosion after 'loud bang' heard at Rotorua's Central mall

Fire crews were called to the Rotorua Central Mall today. Photo / Andrew Warner

Subway has confirmed an incident that prompted an emergency callout to its store in the Rotorua Central Mall and witness reports of a loud bang was not an explosion.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said two crews were sent to the scene about 12.30pm where they were dealing with a "small refrigerator leak".

The callout was initially thought to be an explosion, but it was quickly discovered this was a misinterpretation between the 111 caller and call taker, the spokeswoman said.

There was an issue with a small gas cylinder on a fridge, and the crews left the job in the hands of a technician.

A Subway spokesperson told the Rotorua Daily Post there had not been an explosion.

Earlier today the restaurant's refrigerated food unit stopped working, the spokesperson said.

"At no stage has there been any risk to the safety of staff or customers."

The restaurant has temporarily closed until the refrigeration system can be repaired, but is expected to reopen tomorrow morning.

Earlier, a reporter on the scene saw two fire appliances outside the mall and fire crews near Subway.

Workers in the mall said they heard "a hell of a bang" but neither staff nor people in the mall had been evacuated.

One worker said, "It doesn't seem like much."

"There was a loud bang but the mall hasn't been evacuated or anything and Subway is closed."

There was a sign on the Subway counter saying "sorry we are closed at the moment".