Early Thursday turned chaotic at the Walmart at Penn and Memorial in northwest Oklahoma City, where a fire inside the store forced employees to evacuate and left behind water and smoke damage. Fire crews said the fallout is likely to affect the store’s hours while investigators sort through the details. Authorities did not immediately report any injuries.
Officials: Clothing rack torched, suspect tied to earlier fire attempt
Oklahoma City police and fire crews were called out around 4 a.m. and said the blaze started on a clothing rack, prompting staff to clear the building, according to KOCO. Police said the person taken into custody admitted to setting another fire earlier in the morning and also trying to start a fire at the Sam’s Club next door, where people on scene ran the suspect off. Investigators have secured the area while they decide what charges, if any, will be filed.
Separate Edmond Walmart fire knocked down by sprinklers
About an hour earlier, around 3 a.m., police and fire officials in Edmond were dealing with their own Walmart fire at the store on Danforth Road, Edmond fire crews told local reporters. That blaze also began on a clothing rack and was quickly put out by the store’s sprinkler system, which limited the damage and helped prevent injuries. Investigators in Edmond and Oklahoma City are comparing notes as both cases move forward.
Sprinklers and quick moves kept both fires in check
Fire officials credited the built-in sprinkler systems and fast action by store employees with keeping the Walmart fires from turning into something much bigger. Oklahoma City crews noted significant water and smoke damage at the Penn and Memorial location that will affect store operations, according to KOCO. Fires that start in merchandise aisles, especially clothing racks, can spread rapidly, but suppression systems often keep them contained until firefighters arrive. Both departments said their investigations are ongoing and that more details will be released when available.
What shoppers need to know
For now, customers should expect possible changes to normal store hours while managers and repair crews assess the damage. Shoppers are encouraged to check official store updates before heading out. Police are asking anyone who has video or information related to either incident to contact Oklahoma City police or Edmond police so detectives can follow up.
