Greenville Walmart to reopen soon following arson; arrest made

GREENVILLE, AL (WSFA) - The Greenville Walmart will reopen soon, though not for overnight hours, as crews work to repair damage and restock shelves after a juvenile set a fire inside the store.

Greenville Police Chief Justin Lovvorn said the store will reopen Thursday at 8 a.m. but will close again from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. over the next several days in order for crews to make repairs and restock.

Lovvorn said the suspect, a 17-year-old minor, is charged with first-degree arson after setting fire to a pillow display near the middle of the store. "Flames reached up near the ceiling before being extinguished," he said.

A viewer named Renee Goss shared a photo showing smoke visible inside the store.

A spokesperson for the Walmart corporation said there were no injuries and added, "we appreciate our customers' understanding during this time" in regard to the store's temporary closure.

A motive for the arson was not immediately clear.

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