‘Strange odor’ forces temporary closure of Tutu Park Mall

ST. THOMAS — Tutu Park Mall was abruptly evacuated Wednesday due to a mysterious odor that remains under investigation, according to a news release from the V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokeswoman Chiemeka Fredericksen.

The incident began at around 8:48 a.m., when a team from the Tutu fire station responded to reports “of a strange odor near the clinic and food court area of Tutu Park Mall. Fire and EMS personnel swiftly arrived on the scene and initiated a precautionary evacuation of the mall.” The mall and surrounding area is home to a variety of private businesses and public offices, such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, which issued a statement that the location had closed Wednesday “due to a fire that occurred at the shopping mall,” and no injuries had been reported.

The Fire Service statement clarified that ranking fire officers led a thorough search of the premises and confirmed there was no fire in the area. “Instead, the team identified an odor originating from a restaurant within the mall,” according to the statement. “VIFEMS personnel remain on-site and are working closely with environmental health officials to continue the investigation. Tutu Park Mall will remain closed until the investigation is complete.”