Police are investigating after a fire ignited Sunday afternoon inside the Salmon Arm Walmart.

The fire prompted the store's evacuation around 4 p.m. on Aug. 4. Two employees outside the store said the blaze had allegedly been started by individuals who'd been using the changing rooms in the clothing area. 

"The flames were shooting to the roof," said one of the employees. 

The Salmon Arm Fire Department and RCMP responded. 

Salmon Arm RCMP spokesperson Const. Andrew Hodges confirmed police are investigating the suspected arson. 

Salmon Arm Fire Chief Brad Shirley said the fire department received a report of a commercial structure fire just after 4 p.m. Firefighters from three fire halls were dispatched to the scene.

"Upon arrival, the fire involving hanging cloths had been mostly extinguished by staff and the sprinkler system," said Shirley via email.

Shirley said damage from the fire was somewhat minor, though there was also smoke and water damage.

The above story was updated Aug at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 5 with information from the RCMP.