Authorities: Minor used flare to set fire in Alabama Walmart
Published 1:03 pm Thursday, February 11, 2021
A minor has been charged with using a flare to start a fire inside an Alabama Walmart store, according to authorities.
The minor, who was not identified because he is underage, was charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Monday fire at the Montgomery store, the city’s fire-rescue agency said.
Crews responded to the blaze at around 5:30 p.m. and were able to extinguish the flames with minor damage to the building, news outlets reported. No one was injured.
Authorities identified the minor suspect after he was captured in security video walking around the store with a group of other juveniles.
Fire Lt. Jason Selman said the child was interviewed with a guardian present and admitted to intentionally going into the store to set a fire by using a flare from a nearby aisle.
First-degree arson is a Class A felony under Alabama law. The minor’s age was not given.