Cape store evacuated when smoke spotted

Shoppers and store personnel were evacuated out of Cape Girardeau's Wal-Mart Supercenter Tuesday morning when an air-conditioning unit malfunctioned, said fire department training officer Fred Vincel.

Firefighters were called shortly after 7 a.m. when a small amount of smoke was seen coming from a vent inside the store. They used a thermal imaging camera to pinpoint which air handler on the store's roof was putting off the most heat, Vincel said.

There were no reports of smoke inhalation or illness and the store did not lose electrical power at any time, he said. Shoppers and store personnel were allowed back in the store within the hour.