Explosion Causes Panic at Polaris Fashion Place

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--When shoppers at Polaris Fashion Place heard a loud explosion Sunday, their immediate thought was that there was an active shooter.

It turns out the boom was from a pop machine, which was a result of a mix with nitrogen, done by an employee.

The explosion still sent shoppers into a panic, claiming they saw a man with a gun, and hiding in the stores.

An off-duty Columbus Police Sergeant was there with her daughter at the time, and investigated to determine it was not an active shooter. Sergeant Dana Hess tells ABC-6 the incident should be used as a teaching lesson not to panic in a hostile situation.

The teenager involved in the blast suffered minor injuries, and was the only one hurt in the incident.

(photo courtesy ABC-6)