Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Oct 22, (THAINDIAN NEWS) On Thursday around 10:30 am, a video game retail store, in the Roseville Galleria Mall was set on fire when a man intentionally burnt the merchandise in the store. The 23 year old suspect known as Alexander Piggee, was taken into police custody soon. The man had reportedly entered the shop carrying a weapon and asked everyone to get out of the store, before he set fire to the merchandise. The firefighters fought the blaze from outside the mall, as they suspected the presence of a bomb inside. Despite the presence of sprinklers inside, the fire was difficult to control and quickly spread through the mall and reached the roof. Aerial photos show huge amount of smoke coming out of the roof, for at least four hours.

Alexander Piggee, now in police custody, barricaded himself in an area outside the shop as he continued the mayhem by lighting up several other stores. There were reports of a gunfire as well, but police say that no shots were fired, the sound was that of windows being broken by an officer. There are no reports of injury or death casualties as of yet. The fire which was started in the video game store, had quickly spread through the mall, damaging an entire arm in the mall.

A part of the roof on the South end of the mall reportedly collapsed, and many retail stores are in a terrible condition. The mall could remain closed for some months. The suspect was later examined by medical professionals after it appeared that he was suffering from smoke inhalation. However, paramedics examined him and he is out of danger.