Wal-Mart Reopens After Arson Fires

A Wal-Mart in Brea returned to its holiday schedule Thursday morning, hours after two arson fires prompted the evacuation of about 500 shoppers.

No one was injured in the fires, which were set at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on opposite sides of the store on East Imperial Highway, Police Lt. Marty Needham said.

Employees along with police and fire personnel doused the flames with minimal damage to the building and minimal loss of merchandise, Needham said. The building was evacuated in less than 10 minutes, he said.

A Wal-Mart assistant manager refused to comment on the fires. Police said they have no suspects or significant leads and are asking anyone with information to contact the Brea Police Department.

“We have investigators looking at in-store videos,” Needham said. “We’re talking to some citizens who were in the store and were kind enough to call 911.”

Police said one fire began when pieces of clothing were set on fire; the second started when artificial flowers were torched.

“We know there was an accelerant used,” Needham said. “The flames did scorch the ceiling in one particular part, but they didn’t burn through the ceiling to the roof.”

Area Wal-Mart stores switched to holiday hours last Saturday and are operating 24 hours a day until 6 p.m. today. The Brea store was closed nearly 12 hours.