CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Firefighters and members of a hazmat team responded to the Sam's Circle Walmart in Chesapeake Wednesday after a law enforcement reported a smell of propane gas.
This is the same Walmart where a deadly mass shooting happened in November. Wednesday marked the store's first day open since the the fateful day in November.
The Hazardous Materials Team was called in and used gas detection meters while searching the building for the source of the smell.
"I miss my store," said Angelina Cooper, who wanted to shop for some water, soap and fruit, but she arrived to a set of closed doors.
Store associates and first responders evacuated the store just before 7 p.m.
"I came about maybe an hour later and then I just assumed they were going to open back up," Cooper added.
And they did open back up at around 9 p.m.
The smell dissipated shortly after firefighters arrived, according to a fire department spokesman. The hazmat team reported negative findings on all meters.
Earlier in the day, managers and executives held a ceremony welcoming the community back to a newly renovated store.
As the community continues to heal, some are finding comfort in returning to the retail fixture in Chesapeake.
"It means an awful lot. A lot of senior citizens are closer to this Walmart," Cooper said.