Several people have been injured in a shooting at a shopping mall in South Carolina, US police said.

The Columbia Police Department said those injured at the Columbiana Centre during the incident were receiving medical attention, but the extent of the injuries was currently unknown.

Columbia Police Deputy Chief Melron Kelly told the State newspaper that there were no fatalities reported.

He added eight people were taken medical treatment and officers were “going store to store and closet to closet searching for someone with a weapon,” Kelly said.

Columbia Police added: “Officers have been evacuating the mall and getting people to safety.”

Police earlier said they were responding to “shots fired” at the centre, which is approximately 10 miles northwest of the state capitol, at around 2.30pm local time.

They wrote on Twitter: “We have confirmed that people have been injured during the incident, they are receiving medical attention.”The extent of injuries [are] unknown at this time.”

Columbia Police Department later advised people: “If you need to pick up loved ones, the reunification area is 320 Columbiana Drive – Fairfield Inn.

“We are working on a transit option to take people who may still be near the mall to the reunification area.”

They then added the “Law enforcement teams have been strategically making sure that the Columbiana Centre has been cleared”.

Police added on Twitter: “No other reports of injuries.”

No arrests have been made.