Yaphank Walmart Supercenter's fire suppression system fixed; store to reopen Thursday, official says

The Walmart Supercenter in Yaphank, which closed Wednesday after its fire suppression system was deemed nonfunctional, will reopen Thursday, according to the spokesperson for the Town of Brookhaven.

The Ridge Fire Department responded about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a fire in the pump room at the store, located at 901 Boulevard East, Suffolk Fire Rescue and Emergency Services officials told Newsday.

Town of Brookhaven Chief Fire Marshal Chris Mehrman ordered the store closed "after he determined the fire suppression system wasn’t functioning correctly," Drew Scott, a town spokesperson, told Newsday Wednesday evening in a text message.

"This order will remain in effect until such time as a qualified technician inspects, tests and makes any needed repairs to the fire pump," Mehrman said via Scott. "Walmart has called for a technician and the manager has been given the contact information for my Fire Marshal working the evening shift tonight."

Later on Wednesday, Scott said repairs were made to the system and it was tested and declared functional.

A Walmart spokesperson told Newsday earlier they were "working to reopen as soon as possible." The spokesperson was not immediately available late Wednesday.

No injuries were reported, Suffolk County Fire Commissioner Rudy Sunderman told Newsday in a text message.

About 9:30 p.m., a single employee stood outside each of the two main entrances to the supercenter. They informed patrons walking towards and slowly driving past the entrances that the store was closed until further notice.

A small sign on the door told shoppers: "The Walmart in Yaphank is temporarily closed. We apologize for the inconvenience."