Ikea store 'locked down' as shoppers evacuated

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Shoppers in a busy Ikea have been evacuated from the store in a "scary" experience as alarms blared and a speaker system asked everyone to leave the building.

A large number of people shopping at Ikea in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, were asked to vacate the store and video footage captured a huge amount of shoppers leaving around 7.15pm.

One concerned person told of how alarms blared in the background as the spotted a a "scared looking" security guard running back inside, the Mirror reports.

It is understood the store is in lockdown, with no one allowed inside. The exact circumstances surrounding the evacuation are not yet known.They told the Manchester Evening News: "We were already leaving as the announcement started and the security guy came running down the stairs and seemed so panicked telling us to leave immediately."The announcement said any children in the play area had already been evacuated and staff would help people find their kids."Another concerned shopper tweeted: "We got evacuated from Ikea in Ashton Under Lyne."Just so scary."They added: "Got evacuated as we was about to eat and try the meatballs at Ikea in Ashton Under Lyne and we are all outside with so many other people, alarms going off and speaker system telling us to leave the building." Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.