The incident happened at the Tesco on Greenstead Road in The Hythe area at 5pm. An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to a gas leak in a supermarket in Greenstead Road, Colchester at 5pm. "Crews worked to evacuate the supermarket and make the scene safe by 5:52 before leaving the scene in the care of Cadent." The store was temporarily closed to the public while fire crews dealt with the incident. Two fire engines were spotted at the scene, and alarms were reportedly going off inside the store.