By By ANNA M. LEE Managing Editor
Late Wednesday afternoon, Brewton's Walmart had to be evacuated and searched by local authorities because of a phoned-in bomb threat.
After the store was evacuated at about 4:10 p.m., Walmart department managers checked their areas to be sure all customers were out, and officers with the Brewton Police Department prevented anyone else from entering the building.
While Walmart employees were kept waiting away from the building, Brewton Fire Chief Lawrence Weaver listened to the threatening call to determine whether it was credible.
The store was searched thoroughly for anything suspicious, but nothing was found. Authorities kept the store clear for about an hour before letting employees and customers return.
The call is still under investigation by the Brewton Police Department.
Brewton Police usually rely on the Fire Department during bomb threat situations.
According to Weaver, if a suspicious object had been found in this or any other bomb scare, local authorities would call in the services of a bomb technician with the Alabama State Troopers.