In a statement, deputies said, “The Orange County Fire Inspector was there as a witness to the test, but did not conduct the test”.
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Eat a hotdog served by Joey Fatone during the September 10 grand opening of Fat★One’s at The Florida Mall.
Authorities later said the area had been cleared and there were no gunshots or weapons found.
He was at the mall shopping and said he remembers seeing people running and screaming, anxious that a gunman was on the loose.
Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies told WFTV that six large balloons were popped consecutively Thursday, followed by a fire alarm, as part of an mandatory fire suppression system inspection at the kiosk.
A contractor was carrying out the inspection with a fire marshal on scene. When patrons heard the balloons popping and the ensuing alarm, panic ensued; other people panicking made the initial panic worse, and some ended up falling or getting trampled.
Deputies also noted that a warning was broadcast over the mall’s PA system letting customers and workers know the test was imminent, but the sounds still caused pandemonium, and also triggered an alarm which led to further panic.
The incident took place just two months after a gunman opened fire in gay nightclub Pulse, killing 49 people and injuring more than 50. “Florida Mall remained open and is operating as usual”.
Patrons ran from the mall, leaving belongings behind, and at least nine were injured in the chaos (“mostly falls, scrapes, and twisted knees”, says a fire department spokesperson). The test has been concluded. “Permits are issued and inspections conducted to verify proper installation and functionality of these systems prior to allowing occupancy”, Orange County Fire Rescue said in a statement.
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Fire officials said the test should not have been done in midday and in the food court.
