A routine Saturday at the Chamblee Walmart turned tense when police say a man intentionally set several bathroom mats and towels on fire inside the store, forcing a swift evacuation and an afternoon shutdown while investigators worked the scene.
Chamblee police said they were called to the Chamblee Tucker Road location around 1:31 p.m. after witnesses reported smoke and small flames in the bathroom aisle. Crews from DeKalb County Fire Rescue extinguished the blaze and cleared shoppers and staff from the building for safety. Surveillance footage showed a person leaving the store and heading toward the nearby transit corridor, authorities said, according to WSB-TV.
City of Chamblee officials said multiple bathroom mats and towels were set on fire and that employees moved quickly to usher customers out as fire crews arrived. A city spokesperson also noted that “things set on fire outside Walmart,” and officials have not released the name or motive of the person taken into custody, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
Transit footage led investigators to Doraville
According to police, investigators traced the surveillance trail from the store to the transit area and found the suspect at the Doraville MARTA station, where he was taken into custody without incident. DeKalb investigators have opened an arson probe, while Chamblee officers handled the arrest and processing, according to WSB-TV.
Investigation and store status
DeKalb County Fire Rescue is leading the investigation into how and why the items were ignited, with local police running a parallel inquiry. The Walmart on Chamblee Tucker Road remained closed to shoppers Saturday as crews processed the scene and documented damage, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
Legal implications
Authorities have not yet announced specific charges beyond the arrest and said they will send evidence to the county prosecutor for a formal charging decision. Intentionally setting store merchandise on fire can bring potential arson and related property damage counts under state law, and investigators will determine what, if any, charges move forward.
