Girl, 14, arrested in connection with massive Walmart fire
Three police officers were hospitalised for smoke inhalation while battling the blaze in Peachtree City, Georgia
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
A 14-year-old girl has been arrested in connection with a fire that extensively damaged a Walmart store in Peachtree City, Georgia, police say.
Firefighters responding to a 911 call at the store on West Highway 54 at about 7.20pm on 24 August arrived to find the building well ablaze.
Customers captured dramatic images of flames and thick black smoke shooting up from fully engulfed shelves packed with paper products.
Bodycam footage released by the Peachtree City Police Department showed officers rushing through the store evacuating it of staff and customers.
Three officers from the Peachtree City Police Department were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
Firefighters from four departments battled the fire until eventually bringing it under control around 4am.
A preliminary investigation found that the fire had been deliberately lit in the paper products aisle, Peachtree City Police said in a statement provided to The Independent.
They had identified a suspect through video evidence and a 14-year-old girl had been arrested and charged with first degree arson. Her name has not been released.
No motive has been established for the suspected arson.
Walmart said in a statement it was grateful for the efforts of first responders.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.