A fire at an East Vancouver Walmart has resulted in several million dollars in damages, according to Vancouver police.
The fire broke out just before 10 a.m. on Saturday, at the Walmart located near Grandview Highway and Boundary Road.
In a statement to CBC News, Sarah Kennedy, senior communication director for Walmart, believes the fire was deliberately set inside the store.
“Setting a fire in a public setting is shocking, dangerous and shameful,” she said.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says it is investigating the “suspicious” incident, which it says may have been intentionally set.
“Detectives from VPD’s Major Crime Section are working together with Vancouver Fire investigators to determine what circumstances led up to the fire,” said VPD spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin.
Authorities are appealing to anyone with information about the fire to contact the police.
Kennedy said all staff and customers were safely evacuated from the store.
B.C. Emergency Health Services said one unit was dispatched to the scene and confirmed that no patients were transported to the hospital.
“We want to thank all first responders who attended the fire,” said Kennedy.
The VPD estimates the store has suffered several million dollars in damages.
Kennedy described the fire as a “criminal act of arson” that will impact customers and employees who rely on the store.
“We will do everything we can to ensure the arsonist is identified and held accountable, including assessing our legal options to seek compensation from the arsonist for the damages caused by this act.”
The East Vancouver Walmart will remain closed until further notice as cleanup and repairs are underway.
Kennedy assured the retail corporation would support its associates during this period and will reopen the store as soon as it is safe.