Walmart in California’s Central Valley shuts down after 3-alarm fire prompts store’s evacuation

The roof of a Walmart in Lodi caught fire Saturday forcing shoppers to evacuate the store and leading to its temporary closure.

Lodi firefighters were notified of the blaze just before noon, said Nancy Sarieh, a spokesperson for the city. As they tried to extinguish it, the fire burned through plexiglass on the roof and got inside the store, located in the southwest corner of the city, prompting a three-alarm response.

Firefighters put out the flames by about 12:35 p.m. but parts of the store were damaged in the process, including the automotive and sporting goods sections, Sarieh said.

The store was closed and will remain so until the damage is addressed, according to Sarieh.

One person was treated for smoke inhalation but no other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The roof of the building has solar panels and air conditioning units, Sarieh said, and Saturday was a hot day with temperatures in the area above 90 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.