Gwinnett Place Mall shoppers were evacuated after a shoe repair machine caught on fire on the second floor, Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said.
An employee was working the machine inside Heel Quick at the time, Rutledge said. He escaped unharmed.
The mall’s sprinkler suppression system controlled the fire until firefighters arrived about 5 p.m. to extinguish it.
“There is extensive water damage to the suite and in the corridor immediately outside the (store),” Rutledge said. “Water seeped down to the first floor directly below.”
Officials evacuated the mall due to the amount of smoke pouring into the Mall Atrium.
Rutledge said firefighters are working to clear the residual smoke from the building.
What caused the shoe repair machine to set on fire is unknown.
No one was injured during the fire.
