Police: Fire at Rochester Home Depot 'intentionally' started by would-be thief

Police in Rochester are investigating an apparent arson and attempted theft at a local Home Depot this week.

It happened around 6 p.m. Thursday at the Home Depot on 3050 41 St. NW, where authorities were called on a report of a structure fire.

"It was determined that someone had intentionally set a fire in the back of the store," a news release from the Rochester Police Department says. "Bystanders attempted to put the fire out before Rochester, MN Fire Dept. arrived and quickly extinguished the fire with 500 gallons of water":

Before the fire, the release says, witnesses saw a "man walking around the store for a few hours filling a cart with merchandise," and then crouching in the part of the store where the fire soon broke out.

Police say he tried to leave the store with a cart full of merchandise, but left it behind and fled the scene when employees confronted him.

The fire was discovered "about the same time" the suspect left. No injuries were reported.

Police have yet to make an arrest.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.