The Walmart in Woodstock has fully reopened after an arson fire that caused $5 million in damage on New Year’s Eve, completely closing the store for nearly a week before it partially reopened.
A spokesperson for Walmart told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the company’s store, located at 1275 Lake Avenue in Woodstock, partially reopened on January 6.
The spokesperson said at that time they were “pleased” to announce that customers could now shop for food, fresh and consumables.
The store’s Pharmacy and Vision Center were also back and fully operational.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. We truly appreciate the love and support from our community and can’t wait to continue to serve you,” Walmart said.
The company spokesperson said at that time that the company was working to open the rest of the store as soon as possible.
In an update, the company told Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Sunday evening that the entire store has now been fully reopened to customers.
McHenry County Department of Health Public Information Officer Nick Kubiak said the health department had worked with Walmart representatives since the fire occurred to address the cleaning and sanitizing of impacted areas, as well as the proper removal and disposal of food items.
MCDH staff verified earlier this month that impacted food products were removed and the required cleaning and sanitization of the food and grocery areas were completed prior to restocking.
Walmart had been fully closed to in-store customers, with the exception of the drive-up pharmacy, after a fire that broke out around 7:20 p.m. on December 31.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said firefighters arrived to find the store being evacuated and employees advised that there had been an active fire inside the building.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges that Adilyn R. Monette, 21, of Woodstock, 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.
Prosecutors said she was seen on surveillance video removing a can of camping fuel from the camping equipment aisle, placing it in a cart and making her way to the baby and infant section of the store.
Monette returned to the camping aisle, grabbed a second can of camping fuel and returned to where she had left the cart, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Monette was seen on video pouring the fuel on multiple cribs, setting them on fire and then leaving the store.
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. No injuries were reported.
Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said a Walmart employee provided officers with a witness statement and other evidence, including security camera footage.
Investigators were able to identify Monette as the suspect in part through her vehicle’s registration, prosecutors said.
“Despite there being a full store of customers when this arson was committed, we are grateful for the swift actions of Walmart staff, Woodstock Fire Department, and the Woodstock Police Department that ensured everyone’s safety so that no customers or staff were hurt,” McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said.
Monette was arrested by the Woodstock Police Department and transported to the McHenry County Jail. She was charged with one count of aggravated arson knowing people are present, a Class X felony.
Monette appeared in Intial Appearance Court and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain her pending trial.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the petition to detain Monette, who also has a pending arson charge out of Colorado for which she was on supervised release.
A grand jury indicted Monette on the charge last week and she is set to be arraigned on February 3.