Fire collapses roof at Walmart in Peachtree City

Shoppers and employees were forced to evacuate a Walmart Supercenter in Peachtree City when a fire broke out inside the store Wednesday evening.

The fire raged for hours overnight at the big box store at 2717 Ga. 54, drawing resources from fire departments in Peachtree City, Fayette County and Coweta County before it was contained. Authorities closed the busy highway outside the store until 12:30 a.m. Thursday while firefighting efforts were underway.

Heavy smoke was billowing from the rear of the building when the first crews arrived shortly after 7:20 p.m., according to Wil Harbin, assistant chief of Peachtree City Fire Rescue.

Crews entered through the rear and encountered heavy flames in the retail area of the store. They battled the fire for several minutes until trusses from the collapsing roof began falling to the ground around them, Harbin said.

That’s when the firefighters backed off and crews began using tower ladders to attack the flames.

Cellphone video shared with Channel 2 Action News showed huge flames licking the ceiling tresses as the store filled with thick, black smoke and employees ushered shoppers outside. Three Peachtree City police officers who helped with the evacuation were treated for smoke inhalation, Harbin said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no serious injuries had been reported Wednesday night. Police are asking anyone inside the store when the fire started who may have witnessed “suspicious behavior” to come forward.

Anyone who did not provide a statement to investigators on scene is asked to contact police Sgt. Brad Milstein at bmilstein@peachtree-city.org.