Chesapeake Fire Department units were dispatched at 12:56 p.m. for an initial commercial fire alarm. The call was quickly upgraded to a commercial structure fire when dispatchers received additional reports of an active blaze inside the mall.
Firefighters from Engine 14 arrived to find a small fire burning inside Rootz, a retail store on the mall’s upper level. According to officials, the store’s automatic sprinkler system activated and successfully controlled the fire before firefighters reached the scene.
The mall was immediately evacuated, and power was shut off to the impacted areas as crews worked to ensure the flames were fully out. No injuries were reported.
The affected store sustained minor smoke and water damage, while several areas on the first floor, directly below the fire, also experienced water damage from the sprinklers. Light smoke spread into the main body of the mall, prompting ongoing ventilation efforts. Norfolk Fire & Rescue assisted with its LUF60, a high-capacity ventilation fan designed for large buildings.
Greenbrier Mall will remain closed for the rest of Tuesday, though its anchor stores are allowed to stay open. Mall officials expect to resume normal operating hours on Wednesday morning, pending any updates that will be shared on the mall’s website and social media channels.
Investigators determined the fire was accidental.
