Update: Monday, 3:15 p.m. The fire at the Harrisonburg Walmart reported early Monday morning was caused by lithium-ion batteries that ignited inside combustible packaging within a heavy-duty wire framed storage unit.
“Lithium-ion batteries, even properly stored, have the potential to fail, causing a fire. As we are seeing globally, these batteries are posing new challenges for firefighters in an ever-evolving technologically driven marketplace,” Harrisonburg Fire Department Chief Matthew Tobia said.
Tobia credited a properly functioning fire alarm and sprinkler system as being the key to containing the fire, which was reported at 4 a.m. by an automatic fire alarm.
A second-alarm assignment was requested, bringing a total of approximately 40 firefighters to the scene.
The fire was contained within 15 minutes and completely extinguished within 30 minutes, according to the HFD.
Personnel remained on location for an extended period of time, clearing smoke from the 207,000-square-foot building.
“The presence of a properly functioning fire sprinkler system contained what could have otherwise been a catastrophic fire,” Tobia said.
The building was evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters, and there were no injuries to employees, community members or responders.
A damage estimate has not been set while clean-up and recovery efforts are under way.
First report: Monday, 9:33 a.m. The Harrisonburg Fire Department is on scene at the Walmart on Burgess Road, where a fire was reported at 4:13 a.m.
A second alarm was signaled at 4:30 a.m., and numerous crews are on the scene, per a release from the City of Harrisonburg.
HFD is asking the community to avoid the immediate area around the Walmart because there is a significant amount of smoke still in the building, and crews will be working at the scene for multiple hours this morning, and need the area to remain clear to help in their efforts.
The fire has been marked as under control.
The report from the city tells us the building was evacuated, and at this time, there have been no reported injuries.