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IKEA has launched an investigation after staff and customers were reportedly evacuated as a loud bang and shake left cracks in the floor of one of the UK's newest branches.,

Customers have reported what one described as 'a mini earthquake' during one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Some said customers were ushered to fire escapes as the incident unfolded at the Exeter branch of IKEA at around 3pm on Good Friday, reports DevonLive .

Curtis Hunter tweeted: "Something happened. I was walking around the store at 3pm and lots of different staff were looking at the cracks on the floor which had appeared.

"This was around section 11/12. The store had shaken/moved some way or another.

"Overheard a member of staff saying it was a mini earthquake."

One customer who wishes to remain anonymous said at the time that it could have even been a 'bomb'.

They said: "I understand that a structural engineer visited the site later in the evening but even for a nano second I thought it could have been a bomb, an earthquake or a building collapse.

(Image: PA)

"Cracks did appear on the floor after it happened, although as soon as I realised it wasn't as frightening as it sounded, I assumed that they would look at structural issues as it was very hot weather."

Another took to Twitter to ask IKEA about the 'mini earthquake'.

They said: "Is there any update on what happened at the Exeter store please?

"Something wasn't right, with either the structure needs looking at or something is being covered up."

They went on to say: "We were there at 2.15pm when a bang and huge shake happpened. Staff didn't know what had happened and we were grouped by the fire exit for five minutes before being told to carry on."

IKEA support Twitter account has since responded to the customers on Twitter, and said that they 'have received no reports of any situation at Exeter".

Following the incident, IKEA have said they are still investigating the cause, however they continue to trade as normal.

Nick Earle, Store Manager at IKEA Exeter, said: “During the afternoon on Friday 19 April, we were alerted to a loud noise in the Market hall area of the store which caused the building to vibrate momentarily.

"The safety and security of our customers and co-workers is our top priority and our risk and construction teams have since carried out all of the necessary checks to ensure that the store is structurally safe.

"We are still investigating the exact cause of this, but we believe it to be part of the building’s settling process and we are open for business as usual.”