Peter WalshAbout 500 people were evacuated from a historic city store at lunch time yesterday after a fire alarm sounded, prompting several fire crews to be sent to the scene.Peter Walsh

About 500 people were evacuated from a historic city store at lunch time yesterday after a fire alarm sounded, prompting several fire crews to be sent to the scene.

Shoppers at the Jarrold store in London Street were evacuated from the department store after the alarms sounded at about 12.44pm yesterday.

A fire crew from Sprowston, two from North Earlham, and a further appliance from Norwich was called, but it was a false alarm as the alarm turned out to have been caused by cooking fumes.

The police were also informed, although did not attend.