Ga. Walmart evacuated after child starts fire trying to open toy
Tyler Estep
A child trying to open a toy with a lighter caused a Lawreneville Walmart to be evacuated Wednesday afternoon.
Gwinnett County firefighters responded to the Walmart at 1400 Lawrenceville Highway at about 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, finding the store evacuated and a small, already-out fire in the toy section on arrival. Gwinnett County police spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said a child started the blaze “with a lighter while attempting to open a box containing a toy.”
“The flames were quickly doused by a store employee who used a portable fire extinguisher prior to the fire department’s arrival,” Rutledge said. “The quick action of the employee helped to contain the fire to a small area within the aisle.”
Approximately 100 customers and 65 store employees were temporarily evacuated and the store was shut down for several hours to clean up.
“The child and parents were questioned by fire investigators and released,” Rutledge said.
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