CrossIron Mills Mall was evacuated on Friday, August 19, after smoke was seen on the second floor of the Bass Pro shop.

At 8:45 p.m. shoppers became panicked when smoke could be seen coming from the ceiling.

James Moller, CrossIron Mills General Manager, said that the fire department was called but the smoke was the result of a light ballast that malfunctioned.

"We have anywhere from 30 to 40 to 50 ballasts that go out per year and when they malfunction, they create smoke."

Moller said that due to miss communication, the 'non-event' resulted in multiple fire departments responding to the call. 

It took 25 minutes for the area to be cleared and the fire department to give the all clear for workers to return to the building.

Due to the large emergency response, Moller said that mall staff will be participating in emergency management strategies to prevent any further incidents.