A sprinkler system malfunctioned at the Dickinson Walmart at about 3:50 p.m. Monday, causing employees and customers to evacuate after the fire alarm went off inside.
Firefighters cleared the scene for re-entrance after about 30 minutes. An unexplained pressure drop in the sprinkler system caused valves near the store’s main entrance to expel excess water, Dickinson fire marshal Deb Barros said.
A sprinkler system contractor was coming to the store at about 4:30 p.m. to investigate and fix the problem, Barros said.
Walmart managers and employees stood outside in rainy, windy conditions, waiting for the go-ahead to go back inside.
“It’s so cold, but at least it’s not snowing,” said Walmart photo center technician Chad Racine.
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No items were damaged by sprinklers, according to multiple Walmart managers and employees.
Dickinson firefighters, police officers and ambulance service personnel responded to the scene.
