Dallas’ NorthPark Center closes after fire breaks out in construction area; no injuries reported

A fire ignited by construction on NorthPark Center’s first floor Saturday afternoon led to the mall’s evacuation and closure of most of the building for the rest of the day, authorities said.

No injuries were reported.

Dallas Fire-Rescue was dispatched about 1:45 p.m. to the blaze at NorthPark, 8687 N. Central Expressway. The fire was accidental and started when construction ignited the belt of a nearby out-of-service escalator, department spokesman Jason Evans said.

In a tweet, NorthPark said the fire was in the construction area of the planned Eataly marketplace, a three-story food hall and Italian grocery that, as of July, was expected to open later this year.

The mall was evacuated before firefighters arrived, and the fire was put out quickly, Evans said. Crews then turned their attention to clearing out smoke.

NorthPark tweeted that with the exception of restaurants and stores that have outdoor entrances, the mall would remain closed the rest of the day.