HOMETOWN - An early-morning fire at Wal-Mart on Route 309 in Hometown that sent shoppers and employees into a snowy parking lot Tuesday was ruled arson, Rush Township police said.
State police fire marshal Trooper John F. Burns investigated the 2:20 a.m. blaze near the lawn and garden section of the store, which is at 35 Plaza Drive, and ruled the fire was intentionally set.
Police released surveillance photos of the four men they say set the fire and then fled in a black vehicle north on Route 309.
Police said one of the men, Johnathan L. Maldonado, 20, of Hazleton, was in custody. He was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, for $50,000 straight cash bail and faces numerous felony charges.
Officers ask that anyone who has information on the other suspects identities to contact them at 570-668-4242.
Firefighters encountered flames inside the store but quickly extinguished them, aided by the sprinkler system which had activated, Hometown Fire Chief Barry Messerschmidt said.
Township police assisted in evacuating the store, as thick smoke could be seen inside and water poured from the lawn and garden center, according to www.tamaquaarea.com.
A skylight on the roof partially burned and firefighters opened the rest of it, the fire company's Facebook page said. Firefighters also brought in large fans to ventilate the building, which had filled with smoke.
The fire was contained to the point of origin, which was retail items on the shelves of the lawn and garden section, Burns said.
Firefighters from Tamaqua, Ryan Township and Quakake responded along with Hometown.
The store remained closed Tuesday morning as employees worked on getting the store back up and running, said Betsy Harden, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman. They hoped to reopen later in the day, she said.
Police said the store is closed until further notice.