(Updated) Walmart Reopened After Electrical Malfunction Caused Five-Hour Closure

Walmart has reopened its doors to the public after a five hour closure caused by a small electrical fire and major malfunction caused when the building's main transformer blew late Thursday morning.

Southington Fire Capt. Alan Zygmunt said the morning response came after a strange odor and overheating issue with the transformer, located within the store. Firefighters said no flames were ever visible, but the system needed to be shut down to prevent fire.

"The main issue, and the reason for the extended closure, is that the transformer needed to be replaced," Zygmunt said. "The malfunction forced the store to shut down the computer systems, registers and telephone lines and left the business at a standstill."

Walmart employees remained on scene, guiding patrons until the store reopened a short time after 4 p.m. Business will now resume as normal, employees said.

Zygmunt said firefighters were first called to the store around 11 a.m. with reports of a possible fire. They found the malfunction before flames sparked and were able to address the problem quickly, leaving the scene within an hour.

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