UPDATE: Fire at Mall at Prince Georges in Hyattsville

Update, 1:45 p.m.: Prince George's Fire/EMS Department has confirmed that a malfunctioning electrical transformer was the cause of the fire at the in Hyattsville.

Damages are estimated at $200,000.

Mall security confirmed that the facility reopened at noon today.

Update, April 17, 8:45 a.m.: More than a thousand shoppers had to be evacuated from the in Hyattsville late Saturday afternoon due to an electrical transformer fire underneath the mall.

The fire was reported just before 4:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived on the scene and reported seeing smoke from a shipping/delivery tunnel in the rear of the shopping center.

When firefighters entered the tunnel, they located an electrical transformer on fire and immediately secured a safe position inside the tunnel unit. Pepco was requested to be on scene to ensure that the electrical power was terminated.

As firefighters waited for the power to be shut off, an explosion occurred inside the transformer, causing the fire to accelerate and sending thick, black smoke throughout the tunnel and into the mall area, said Mark Brady, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS spokesman.

As firefighters were assisting shoppers from the mall, they reported several fire exit doors locked. It was also determined that the fire alarm system was not working inside the mall.

All of the shoppers was able to exit the mall safely, but one adult female suffered an unknown illness and had to be transported to a local hospital, Brady said.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control by 6 p.m.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by fire investigators; the estimated fire loss is still being determined.

Update, April 16, 6:30 p.m.: An update from the county fire department indicates that the fire is out at the Mall at Prince George's. Extensive ventillation and overhaul work needs to be done and the mall remains closed.

Original Post, April 16, 5:15 p.m.: Prince George's County firefighters are on the scene of a fire at the according to Fire/EMS.

An electrical transformer is burning inside of  a shipping/receiving tunnel that runs underneath the mall. Smoke from the burning transformer is being emitted from the tunnel entrance/exit located on the rear side of the mall.

The mall is currently being evacuated.

Firefighters are currently working to terminate electrical power to the transformer. Pepco has been requested and is en route. No injuries have been reported.

Patch will update you with more information. In the mean time, follow our on-site updates on Twitter (@hyattsvllepatch).