Surveillance Image Shows Person of Interest in Walmart Arson Fire

(Photo: ‘Person of interest’ in Sunday, Nov. 30, fire at Walmart on Centerville Highway. Credit: Courtesy of Gwinnett Fire PIO)

Gwinnett County fire investigators are looking for a person of interest captured by a surveillance camera before a men’s clothing rack was set on fire at an area Walmart store last weekend.

The fire, reported around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, forced the evacuation of the retail store located at 3435 Centerville Highway. No injuries were reported, and employees were able to quickly knock down the fire with portable extiguishers before firefighters arrived.

Authorities have released a surveillance camera image of a man they want to identify (see attached photo).

“We are not calling him a suspect at this point, but believe that he may have seen something that could be helpful in solving the case,” Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said in a news release. “The man is pictured wearing a gray hoodie and pushing a buggy inside the store. Fire Investigators are not releasing specific information about the incident due to the ongoing investigation.”

The fire damaged the rack of clothing in the men’s area of the store, and sent smoke over a large area.

Anyone with information about the fire or the person seen in the photo is asked to please contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigation Section at 678-518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hot Line at 1-800-282-5804.