FIREFIGHTERS were unable to get to the bottom of an unusual odour, which saw staff and visitors evacuated from the Mount Gambier Centrelink building yesterday.
The Mount Gambier Metropolitan Fire Service and paramedics were called to the building on Percy Street at around 1145.am after a staff member reported a smell of smoke.
Evacuation plans were initiated by fire wardens in the building, however firefighters were unable to establish any link to the smell.
Mount Gambier station officer Adrian Puust said the crews used various pieces of equipment to try and locate any problems.
“We scoured the building for around 40 minutes following the reports of a smell or odour in the building, but it ended up being a bit of a non-event,” he said.
“All their equipment seemed to be working fine and an electrician was also on hand to have a look.”
Mr Puust said the odour began to dissipate and they declared the scene safe a short time later.
He praised staff at the building for their initiative and response to the unusual smell.
“We would much rather people be cautious in situations like this and we told them to let us know if the smell returned,” he said.
“Never be afraid to give us a call.”
