Community Risk

N.C. Cops Investigate Suspicious Store Fire

Jan. 3, 2012

GASTONIA, NC. -- Police think someone started a fire in the food section of a Dollar Tree in Gastonia. Investigators said roughly 20 workers and customers were in the store at the time. All got out safely. Rebecca, who didn't want her last name used, was one of the employees. She told Eyewitness News, she was about to get off work when someone screamed, "Fire!" "It was just real smokey. All the smoke just took over the place. We couldn't see," Rebecca said.

GASTONIA, NC. --

Police think someone started a fire in the food section of a Dollar Tree in Gastonia. Investigators said roughly 20 workers and customers were in the store at the time. All got out safely.

Rebecca, who didn't want her last name used, was one of the employees. She told Eyewitness News, she was about to get off work when someone screamed, "Fire!"

"It was just real smokey. All the smoke just took over the place. We couldn't see," Rebecca said.

Many emergency workers mentioned the same thing, and how much smoke was billowing out of the front doors.

Firefighters couldn't praise the sprinkler system enough. Chief Phil Welch said, "Sprinkler system activated and, as you can see, it looked like it did a pretty good job."

The walls also did a good job, keeping the smoke out of the stores next door, like Avenue, where Amber Davis works.

"They came in here and checked to make sure it wasn't coming through our ceiling. So, we're good too," Davis said.

At last check, arson investigators were questioning a person of interest, but no official suspects.

Police questioning person of interest in suspicious Dollar Store fire