Sat 11 May
Sat 11 May 2024
@ 1:36pm
YorkMix
News
A store in York city center had to be evacuated this lunchtime (Saturday).
Staff and customers were forced to leave Boots on Coney Street at around 1 pm.
Firefighters and a police crew are on the scene.
The incident began with multiple alarms going off. Then it appears that the store’s anti-theft security fog device has triggered.
This is designed to disorient a thief if they break into the store after hours. It is not clear why it has activated during opening hours.
The machine has filled the ground floor retail area of Boots with an opaque mist making it impossible for people to stay in the store.
Being a Saturday, the store was filled with shoppers. Customers were asked to leave, and staff were gathered outside.
Firefighters have gone into Boots to investigate further.
The anti-theft fog is harmless to people but it takes a while to clear.
The incident comes only days after the doors to Boots were smashed. Someone is said to have thrown one of the ‘road closed’ signs on Coney Street into the glass.
