Renovations being carried out at Bayfair caused the shopping centre's fire alarm to go off on Wednesday, forcing hundreds to evacuate.
Mount Maunganui station officer Lindsay Nicol says three fire engines arrived at the complex shortly after 11am.

The scene outside Bayfair Shopping centre on Wednesday after the entire complex was evacuated.

He was told by an alarm agent that those carrying out renovations at the shopping centre accidentally cut a fire alarm wire.
"As far as we're concerned, we treat it serious until it's proven otherwise."
Lindsay says shoppers and employees waited outside Bayfair for about 15 minutes until fire fighters allowed them back inside.