Police have arrested and charged a 21-year-old woman with arson for allegedly intentionally starting a fire that caused an estimated $5 million in damage at the Walmart in Woodstock.
Adilyn R. Monette, 21, of Woodstock, was charged with one count of arson, a Class 2 felony, and criminal damage by fire causing over $100,000 damage, a Class 2 felony.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Woodstock Police Department responded around 7:22 p.m. Wednesday to the Walmart, 1275 Lake Avenue in Woodstock, for reports of a structure fire.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said firefighters arrived to find the store being evacuated.
Employees advised fire crews that there had been an active fire inside the building.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges that Monette drove to Walmart, entered the store and intentionally covered numerous baby cribs in camping fuel.
Monette then lit them on fire with matches, the complaint said. Managers estimated the damage caused by the fire was in excess of $5 million, the complaint said.
Firefighters entered the store to investigate and located the fire near the rear of the store.
The fire had already been extinguished by the building’s automatic sprinkler system, Vucha said.
Fire crews remained on the scene for more than two hours to monitor conditions and assist with smoke removal.
Vucha said the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District’s airboat was requested to assist with ventilating smoke from the large building.
Walmart was closed for the remainder of the evening due to smoke damage throughout the store. No injuries were reported.
An employee of the store told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that all employees were ordered to evacuate along with customers.
He said water was seen from the sprinklers and white smoke was visible inside the store, which had a distinct smell.
Monette was arrested by the Woodstock Police Department and transported to the McHenry County Jail.
She is expected to appear in Intial Appearance Court on Friday afternoon.
Walmart has not responded to a request for comment on the incident or said whether the store has reopened.