This video from 2016 should remind everyone that a “prank” can become a felony in the blink of an eye.
A Wal-Mart in Phoenix, Arizona was evacuated after a pair of suspects set fire to a fireworks display inside the store.
Multiple witnesses captured the blaze on video before exiting as the superstore was evacuated. “A lot of people thought they were being shot at,” said Ardell Deliz of the Phoenix Fire Department in an interview with ABC News. “We treated everyone for smoke inhalation on the scene,” she said. Fortunately no one was injured.
Diaz praised the store employees for their quick response. “This could have been deadly,” she explained, “Walmart did a great job of evacuating.” Everyone was outside of the store before first responders arrived on scene.
“Somebody could have been killed inside that store with that fire growing as fast as it did and as bad as it could have gotten,” said Phoenix Fire Captain Larry Subervi in an interview with local ABC affiliate ABC 15 Arizona.
According to NewsBeat, the suspects face a class 2 felony, which is just below a murder charge, for arson.
The flames left extensive water and smoke damage to the store, which will require extensive renovations.