Police have arrested the man they feel is responsible for starting a fire inside a Phoenix Walmart.
Court records show on June 15, a man lit a firework and then put it back on the shelf causing it to set off other fireworks. There was a heavy fire in the area and thick smoke throughout the store, causing the evacuation of about one hundred people.
Phoenix fire officials say highly flammable lighter fluids and camping propane bottles were in direct contact with the fire. They say that if it wasn't for the sprinkler system reducing the fire, the results could have been 'catastrophic.'
Police report that over 100 people, including customers and employees were evacuated from the store, some suffering from smoke inhalation, but none seriously.
"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.
According to court paperwork, the extensive water and smoke damage inside the store caused over $12 Million in property and contents damage.
Video of potential suspects and their car released through the media caused two of the people involved to contact police. Police say, at first the two gave police false information, but were later re-interviewed after police gathered more evidence.
At that time they validated evidence that showed that 20-year-old Tristen Demani Bailey started the fire.
Bailey was located and arrested by police near 99th Avenue and Indian school Road on September 26.
After his arrest. police say Bailey was in a police van when he urinated into a plastic cup without telling officers. When police removed the cup, Bailey became agitated and destroyed a video camera in the van.
Bailey is being held on $150,000 bond and charged with Arson of an occupied structure, criminal damage and other drug related charges.
