Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Bevan Hurley

Girl, 14, arrested in connection with massive Walmart fire

Peachtree City Police Department

A 14-year-old girl has been arrested in connection with a fire that extensively damaged a Walmart store in Peachtree City, Georgia, police say.

Firefighters responding to a 911 call at the store on West Highway 54 at about 7.20pm on 24 August arrived to find the building well ablaze.

Customers captured dramatic images of flames and thick black smoke shooting up from fully engulfed shelves packed with paper products.

Bodycam footage released by the Peachtree City Police Department showed officers rushing through the store evacuating it of staff and customers.

Three officers from the Peachtree City Police Department were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from four departments battled the fire until eventually bringing it under control around 4am.

A preliminary investigation found that the fire had been deliberately lit in the paper products aisle, Peachtree City Police said in a statement provided to The Independent.

They had identified a suspect through video evidence and a 14-year-old girl had been arrested and charged with first degree arson. Her name has not been released.

No motive has been established for the suspected arson.

Walmart said in a statement it was grateful for the efforts of first responders.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.