AC Malfunction causes evacuation of Big Lots in Cathedral City

Cathedral City Fire crews were called out to the Big Lots on East Palm Canyon Drive and Date Palm Drive around 11:30 a.m. when smoke was reported billowing into the business.

According to Cathedral City Fire Officials the smoke-filled building forced them to evacuate customers and staff from the store.

Cathedral City Fire says they determined the cause of the smoke to be a malfunctioning AC unit on the roof.

The store is currently closed, but fire investigators say that they expect the business to be cleared of smoke and open later today.