Police who responded saw heavy smoke inside the store, and noted that the store’s fire suppression sprinkler system had been activated. All Walmart staff were evacuated.
The store sustained severe fire and water damage and will be closed until further notice, Flagstaff police said.
Store employees told police they had seen a man who was about 5 feet, 7 inches tall leaving sections of the store where a fire had been started. The man was wearing a black hat, grey jacket, orange shirt and green camouflage pants, police said.
Flagstaff police are investigating the incident as an arson.
Anyone with information that may help identify the suspect can contact the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-774-1414 or make an anonymous call to Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.
Anyone with information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
