Sunday, December 1, 2002

WalMart opens after suspicious Tuesday fire

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

WalMart reopened is store in Newnan Wednesday after a suspicious early Tuesday morning fire shut down the giant retailer for a day.

Newnan Fire Marshall Ricky Ayers said the Newnan Fire Department responded to the fire on Ga. Highway 34 at approximately 8:12 a.m. Tuesday.

"The fire was contained in the domestic section, and the store's sprinkler system had gone off," he said.

Newnan firefighters, along with help from Coweta County, had the fire extinguished quickly, but the store could not reopen Tuesday because of extensive water damage and smoke, Ayers said.

Ayers said the department is investigating the incident as a possible arson.

"We think the fire was set to cover up another criminal activity, like shoplifting," he said.

The state Fire Marshal Office and Insurance office are offering up to a $10,000 reward for information in the case, he added.

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