A fire at a Walmart in East Vancouver has caused millions of dollars in damage, according to Vancouver police.
The fire broke out shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday at the Walmart near Grandview Highway and Boundary Road.
In a statement to CBC News, Sarah Kennedy, senior communications director at Walmart, believes the fire at the store was intentionally set.
“Setting a fire in public is shocking, dangerous and shameful,” she said.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says it is investigating the “suspicious” incident, which may have been intentional.
“Detectives from the VPD Major Crimes Unit are working with Vancouver Fire Investigators to determine the circumstances that led to the fire,” said VPD spokeswoman Const. Tania Visintin.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact police.
Kennedy said all employees and customers were safely evacuated from the store.
BC Emergency Health Services said a unit was dispatched to the scene and confirmed no patients were taken to hospital.
“We would like to thank all the first responders who responded to the fire,” Kennedy said.
The VPD estimates the damage to the business amounts to several million dollars.
Kennedy called the fire a “criminal arson” that will impact customers and employees who depend on the business.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that the arsonist is identified and brought to justice. This includes examining our legal options to demand compensation from the arsonist for the damage caused by this act.”
The Walmart in East Vancouver will remain closed until further notice as cleanup and repairs are underway.
Kennedy assured that the retail group will support its employees during this time and reopen the store as soon as it is safe to do so.
