Hundreds of shoppers were evacuated from a large shopping complex in Waterford this evening after a gas mains was reported to have been broken by construction workers.
Management at Tesco in the Ardkeen Retail Park told shocked shoppers to drop their items and leave the building, shortly before 5pm.
Hundreds of shoppers rushed to their cars without their shopping after the gas pipe at the rear of the retail giant was ruptured.
The complex's carpark was also sealed off causing increased traffic congestion in the busy area.
Both Next and Homebase outlets in the complex were also evacuated this, while gardai and the Waterford City Fire Service rushed to the scene.
The supermarket was deemed safe and re-opened by 6pm, as workers were still returning discarded items to the shelves and refrigerators.
It is understood that the company are carrying out extensions to the electrical department at the supermarket.
Management at Tesco in Ardkeen said they could not comment while a spokesperson at Tesco HQ could not be contacted.
