Myer recovers from third fire

MELBOURNE:Department store Myer has resumed business today following a fire which started in a lift shaft at its central Melbourne store yesterday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of around 2000 people. An emergency operation involving 60 fire fighters was launched after the blaze ignited in the shaft running between the upper levels of the Bourke Street Mall store just before 3.30pm.

Customers were evacuated from the store, while shoppers in Myer's Lonsdale Street store were locked in. Traffic was diverted away from the area and 12 tram routes were disrupted, as thick black smoke poured from the top of the building and sirens sounded.

The fire occurred in a restricted area that was under construction due to renovations begun in June, and did not affect staff or customers, a Myer spokesman confirmed.

The store reopened and resumed normal business today, with stock including clothing and footwear product also apparently unaffected by yesterday's incident.

The Bourke Street blaze is Myer's third fire in a year, following fires at stores in Hobart in September 2007 and in Launceston in August.