Fiante Semaj Amerson, 17, of 287 E. Seymour Drive, Goldsboro, faces a charge of burning a building, along with breaking and entering and a probation violation served by Goldsboro police.

Amerson is being held at the Wayne County Detention Center under a $125,000 secured bond, $20,000 of which is for the Wilson charges.

At about 9:25 p.m. on Jan. 22, a fire at Wal-Mart Supercenter, 2500 Forest Hills Road, forced the evacuation of hundreds of shoppers and employees. There were no injuries, and the store reopened a few hours later.

Between 200 and 300 patrons and employees were evacuated, but no one required medical treatment.

"The fire originated on a sock rack in the ladies apparel section of the store, and the flames extended up and along a rack of clothes," Battalion Commander David Aycock of Wilson Fire/Rescue Services said at the time of the incident.

There was nominal smoke damage and no water damage; the total loss of merchandise was estimated at $5,000.

In the days following the event, Wilson Police detectives developed leads that took them to Goldsboro, said Officer Kolly Burritt, a department spokeswoman.

abritt@wilsontimes.com | 265-7819