Smoke was billowing from a corridor at the mall next to one of its anchor stores, JCPenney when fire crews arrived at the scene.

Police are currently searching for a middle-aged white male seen wearing a grey shirt and hat who has been deemed a person of interest.

There are no reports of injuries from the explosion - the ceiling and corridor wall near the explosion was damaged.

Another potential explosive device was found by authorities in a backpack in the same location.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the State Fire Marshall and the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad are assisting with the investigation.

The FBI are reported to have joined the investigation.

The blast was reported at around 5.30pm local time (10.30pm on Sunday GMT).

Local news reporter Gabrielle Shirley stated that a second device exploded in the mall and that the backpack discovered did not contain an explosive device.

Additionally, she also stated that another “suspicious package” was found that is being investigated by bomb squad officers.

She tweeted: “Two devices exploded inside a corridor in the mall and a backpack was also found there without any explosives in it.

“One suspicious package was discovered near the movie theatre - the bomb squad is checking on it now.”

More to follow...