FIRST ON 3 UPDATE: Fire at Belk’s intentionally set

UPDATE: A Wilmington Fire Department spokesman says the fire was intentionally set and that the investigation will continue.

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A fire outside the Independence Mall caused customers to cut their shopping short Saturday afternoon.

A trash compactor caught fire outside of Belk around 4:30 PM Saturday, according to New Hanover County dispatch. Shoppers had to evacuate the store. Dispatch says there were no injuries, and crews put the fire out within a few hours. The cause is under investigation, and damage estimates will take a few days to determine. Fire and water damages were minimal, but damages to the contents have not been determined.