Investigators have image of Walmart arsonist, damage in millions
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A juvenile is believed to be the person responsible for intentionally setting a fire inside of the Walmart store on Burbank Drive in Baton Rouge last weekend, the WAFB I-TEAM has learned.
Fire investigators said Wednesday damage to the store is estimated to be nearly $9 million dollars.
A source familiar with the case tells the WAFB I-TEAM that investigators with the St. George Fire Department have surveillance camera images of the young person and are working to identify him or her.
St. George Fire Department spokesperson Meg Kling says the fire started on the Arts & Crafts aisle of the store.
Kling would not comment about the age or sex of the suspect. She said, at this time, investigators are hoping to find the suspect on their own and are not releasing the surveillance images to the media.
The fire was set in the middle portion of the store just before 8 p.m. Sunday, February 18, causing multiple sprinkler heads to activate, investigators said.
Damage to the store was so severe, particularly from water damage to products, that Walmart does not expect that location to reopen for several more weeks.
“Because of Walmart’s policy and the extensive damage from the smoke, most of the store has to be cleaned and replaced,” Kling said.
No one was injured.
Click here to report a typo.
Copyright 2024 WAFB. All rights reserved.
