A Walmart Supercenter in Largo is set to reopen.

  • Walmart in Largo set to reopen
  • Store heavily damaged in large June 8 fire
  • Investigation found fire was caused by refrigeration unit on roof

According to Largo Fire Rescue, the Walmart in Largo at 2677 Roosevelt Boulevard that was damaged in an explosive fire last month, is scheduled to fully re-open on Thursday.

The business has been temporarily closed for five weeks since the roof fire that's estimated to cost the store $30 to $50 million in damage.

"Because of the impact to that area of the community, not just the shoppers but also the employees, it was a priority to get that store back open," said Largo Fire Marshal Josh Stefancic.

The fire broke out on June 8 at the store and the cause appears to be a mechanical failure in the main refrigeration unit on the roof, according to an incident report.   

"There was a failure of a compressor in the refrigeration unit," Stefancic said. "Because it’s compressed gas rupturing...there were penetrations into the roof."

Bay News 9 obtained exclusive video from a nearby traffic camera that captured the compressed tank explosion on the roof. Stefancic said the flames spread to the other two units on the roof and dripped down into the grocery section that made the fire tougher to fight.

"The fire was mostly in the... the paper product aisle," he said. "So, paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper and it also doesn’t just burn but absorbs water."

According to the incident report, Largo Fire Rescue arrived at the scene in less than 30 seconds and battled the fire for about three hours. No customers or employees were injured in the fire but a few firefighters had to be treated for heat exhaustion.

A customer who said he visited that Walmart every day before the fire said he's relieved to see the store re-opening.

“It’s convenient, it’s close," said Jeffrey Thompson. "Since it’s been shut down we’ve been going miles to other Walmarts and I’m glad they’re going to reopen."