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Update: Walmart estimates Thompson store will be closed for two weeks due to Oct. 12 fire

Welders’ sparks ignited clothing, says fire chief
walmart exterior aug 21 2018
A fire that has closed Thompson’s Walmart since Oct. 12 caused damage that must be repaired before reopening, the company says.

A fire that forced Thompson’s Walmart to close down Oct. 12 caused some damage and the closure will continue until necessary repairs are made, a company spokesperson says, which is estimated to take roughly two weeks.

While we don’t have an exact timeline at this stage, we can roughly estimate a two-week timeline to reopen,” Walmart Canada corporate affairs director Anika Malik said in an email to the Thompson Citizen. “The store did sustain some damage and is currently closed to carry out necessary repairs. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this will cause our customers.”

Thompson Fire & Emergency Services Chief Mike Bourgon said firefighters were called to the store around 4 a.m. and that the cause of the fire was embers from welding work being done igniting some clothing.

“The smoke damage was major,” he said. “Walmart’s doing their due diligence to ensure the safety of their product. They want to ensure that it’s safe for the public, to make sure that there’s no contaminated merchandise.”

Walmart customers who require pharmacy services can call 1-204-992-9760 for help to fill out their prescriptions.

- with files from Kyle Darbyson

 

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