Supermarket evacuated after ‘explosion’ in ceiling

Fire crews attended the incident at Tesco in Elgin

A Moray supermarket was evacuated following reports of an “explosion” yesterday afternoon.

Shoppers and staff were rushed from the Tesco store in Elgin after a loud noise was heard within the ceiling area.

Two fire engines were called to the supermarket shortly before 3pm and later confirmed the bang had been caused by a burst refrigeration pipe.

Customers within the store at the time reported seeing white powder descend from the roof before alarms began to sound.

Shoppers gathered at the far end of the car park while emergency crews worked inside the building.

Nobody was injured as a result of the incident.

Fire crews ventilated the store before leaving at about 3.30pm with staff and customers allowed back inside shortly after that.

A fire service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 2.57pm to reports of a possible explosion in the roof space of the supermarket in Elgin.

“Two fire appliances were mobilised to the scene where crews discovered a refrigeration pipe which had burst. Firefighters isolated the refrigeration system and ventilated the store, which had previously been evacuated.

“There was no fire present within the store and no reported casualties.”

A Tesco spokeswoman said: “Our Elgin store was temporarily closed due to an issue with the freezer units.

“The store was reopened about an hour later and is now trading as usual.”