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Police investigate weekend arson inside Hickory Walmart

HICKORY, N.C. — Police are investigating arson inside a Hickory Walmart. Quick action by a customer and an employee kept the fire from spreading.

The customer who helped knock down the flames with a fire extinguisher left before anyone could get his name.

Channel 9 was at the Walmart when police arrived shortly after 10 a.m. Monday, where they talked with employees about the fire this weekend.

Police said someone went into the men's clothing section of the store and set several pairs of Wrangler jeans on fire.

Police said the person of interest is a white man with shoulder length hair wearing a black fedora and black gloves.

The damages are estimated at between $30,000 to $50,000 but could have been even worse if not for the customer and the employee.

Firefighters said their quick action kept the sprinkler system from activating throughout the store.