Discarded smoking materials start fires at GF Walmarts

Grand Forks Fire officials are investigating a pair of brush and grass fires this (Fri) afternoon at the city’s two Walmart stores.

The Grand Forks Fire Department says one crew was sent to the 32^nd Avenue Walmart at 1:02 PM. Twelve minutes later, another crew was dispatched to the Gateway Drive Walmart.

When crews arrived, store personnel reported fires in the parking lot berms.

The fires, which consisted of dry mulch and plant material, were extinguished.

Fire officials say damages were contained to one vehicle at the Gateway Drive store, and are estimated at $1,500.

They say surveillance video shows the fires were started due to discarded smoking material as customers walked into the stores.

No injuries were reported.

With the heat and windy conditions, the fire department urges residents to properly dispose of smoking materials.

The Fire Department responded to each fire with two engines and nine personnel.

The Department was assisted by the Grand Forks P-D, Altru ambulance and store  personnel.