A disturbing incident at a cinema in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs has left patrons deeply shaken after teenagers discharged a fire extinguisher, causing panic among moviegoers. A local mother, Mel, recounted her children’s fearful experience while speaking with 3AW. The chaotic scene created a thick cloud of extinguisher powder, leaving children and older attendees gasping for air, with many in tears and experiencing burning eyes.
Accompanied by a video shared on TikTok that captured the event, Mel described how several teenagers managed to sneak out during the film to activate the fire extinguisher. She expressed concern over how they obtained it, saying, “I don’t know where they got it from,” and the sudden discharge of the substance doused many viewers.
To manage the situation, staff at Hoyts relocated the affected patrons to another screening room where they resumed the film. Mel noted that staff had previously checked some bags for contraband items like flour and toilet paper, yet disruptive behaviour continues to be a problem.
Another mother, Helen, who has a son working at Hoyts, echoed Mel’s sentiments, stating that her son frequently returns home with stories of the bizarre items that kids attempt to smuggle into screenings to disrupt the atmosphere. This includes everything from roast chickens to flour, leading to longer cleaning shifts for young staff members. Helen highlighted the impracticality of relying on part-time workers to manage security measures, noting that they are merely teens in casual jobs.
As the trend of rowdy behaviours during cinema screenings gains traction, particularly associated with popular films like ‘Chicken Jockey,’ the local community is increasingly concerned about the implications for family-friendly outings. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges cinemas face in ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all patrons. Hoyts has yet to publicly address the situation.