COVINGTON, La. — The Covington Walmart has reopened its pharmacy for curbside pickup or customers can call for mail outs of orders, the store announced on its Facebook page Friday.
One week after the store and its merchandise suffered primarily smoke and water damage in what the State Fire Marshal called a planned fire set by two suspects in the auto department, the rest of the store remains closed as it tries to remediate the damage and bring in new merchandise.
Original estimates were that the store, a very busy Walmart near several subdivisions in Covington, could be closed between 2 and 4 weeks.
The State Fire Marshal said that two suspects, ages 17 and 15, were seen purchasing ignition devices and then later seen on video in the area where the fire started, moments before flames were seen.
Fire only damaged a couple of aisles in the auto department but the sprinkler system came on, dousing merchandise with water and the smoke spread through the store.
Approximately 200 customers were inside when the incident occurred but there were believed to be no injuries.
Walmart serves the area as a low-priced grocery store that also has a pharmacy and departments for auto care, home furnishings, electronics and gardening.
The two suspects, 17 and 15, both from Covington, were booked on one count each of Aggravated Arson, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Arson, and Manufacture and Possession of a Delayed Action Incendiary Device.
"Thanks to the overwhelming and quick response from the community, State Fire Marshal deputies in partnership with St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office deputies learned the teens’ names and whereabouts and were able to take them into custody this evening," the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office said in a press release.
