Fire Inside Walmart Freezer Sends Mobile Shoppers Rushing for Exits

Mobile, AL (BuzzReport)— A fire inside a freezer sent shoppers rushing toward the exits Sunday afternoon as smoke spread through the grocery section of the Walmart on Interstate 65 Service Road.

Mobile Fire-Rescue crews were dispatched to the store at approximately 3:15 p.m. after reports of a fire inside the building. When firefighters arrived, customers were evacuating while smoke filled part of the grocery area.

Firefighters entered the smoke-filled section and located a motor burning inside a freezer. Crews quickly extinguished the fire, removed the damaged equipment from the store and checked the area for additional hazards.

Officials determined that the fire was accidental. No injuries had been reported at the time of the incident.

The store remained closed Sunday as crews and store personnel assessed the damage and worked to determine when the location could safely reopen. Customers were advised to check with Walmart for updated operating information before visiting.

The incident remains under review, but officials said the fire was limited to the freezer equipment.