Someone set a fire in the infant department of the South Philadelphia Walmart Supercenter on Sunday night, according to police, but a quick-thinking assistant manager stopped it before it turned into a full-blown disaster. The employee spotted smoke and flames, grabbed a store extinguisher, and knocked the blaze down before it could jump to nearby aisles. Firefighters later arrived to secure the scene, and authorities say no one was hurt.
Manager douses flames before they spread
As reported by NBC10 Philadelphia, the assistant manager was alerted to the fire around 8:25 p.m. and used a store extinguisher to put it out. Investigators later concluded the blaze had been intentionally set and classified the case as arson. Police told NBC10 they are reviewing surveillance footage but have not yet identified a suspect.
Where it happened
The incident took place at the Walmart Supercenter at 1675 S Christopher Columbus Blvd in South Philadelphia, according to MapQuest. The listing describes the store as a full-service Supercenter that stocks infant and baby supplies.
Retail arson is not unheard of
Similar attacks on baby and infant sections have cropped up elsewhere in recent months. In January, authorities in Illinois accused a woman of pouring camping fuel on cribs and setting them on fire inside a Walmart, a case that caused extensive damage, per Law&Crime. That case does not appear connected to what happened in Philadelphia, but it underscores how dangerous fires can be when they start in crowded retail aisles.
What the law allows
Under Pennsylvania law, arson and related offenses are laid out in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301. Intentionally starting a fire that puts people or property at risk can be charged as a felony, and other levels of arson or reckless burning are also spelled out, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Prosecutors will review the evidence gathered by investigators and decide what charges, if any, to file.
Investigation ongoing
Police say detectives are combing through store surveillance video in an effort to identify whoever started the fire. As NBC10 Philadelphia reported, the investigation remains active and authorities have not yet named a suspect.
