Fire damages Walmart in Columbia as well as merchandise inside store, officials say

Both a Walmart Supercenter and the merchandise inside were damaged Thursday morning in a fire, according to the Columbia Fire Department.

It was about 10:15 a.m. when firefighters responded to the store on Garners Ferry Road, the fire department said. That’s in an area densely packed with retail businesses, hotels and restaurants near Exit 9 on Interstate 77.

Firefighters found smoke throughout the main area of the store, officials said.

The fire was located and quickly brought under control, according to the fire department. Information about where in the store the fire was primarily located was not available.

Everyone who was inside the store at the time made it out safely and no injuries were reported, the fire department said.

There was no word on the cause of the fire, or if it is considered accidental, but it’s being investigated by both the Richland County Fire Marshal as well as the Columbia Police Department.

Information about the extent of damage to both the store as well as the merchandise was not available. Photos of the scene showed burnt objects and standing water on the aisles of the Walmart.

An automated phone message said the Walmart that opened at 6 a.m. was closed Thursday afternoon. The store is normally open until 11 p.m., according to its website.

Information about when the store might reopen was not available.