Small explosion sparks scare at Topeka Walmart

(KOSA)
Published: Aug. 5, 2019 at 10:34 AM CDT
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An explosion outside the Walmart Supercenter in west Topeka sent customers running from the store late Monday morning.

Initial reports from authorities were that the store, on SW Wanmaker Rd., had been evacuated, however store management told 13 NEWS after consultation with police they decided it was not necessary. Many customers did make for the doors, though, when they heard the explosion.

Members of the Topeka Police Dept. and Fire Dept. were called to the scene approximately 10 a.m. when someone reported hearing a blast in the parking lot. Topeka Fire Marshall Mike Martin says it may have been a homemade firework tossed from a vehicle and noted it did not appear to be designed to cause damage or injury.

A woman who was at the store told 13 NEWS she heard the explosion and immediately went outside, where she saw a plume of smoke next to a pickup stopped in front of the store.

She asked a passenger in the truck what had happened. He replied, “Nothing,” then got into the driver’s seat. She said the man drove to another store entrance, where someone else got into the truck and they took off.

The woman said another customer told her the man had thrown something out of the truck which exploded.

Authorities conducted a sweep of the building and did not find anything else suspicious. The only damage appeared to be a small chunk of concrete missing where the item had been thrown.

They are asking anyone with information about the circumstances if the fire are being asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or toll free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).