Video captures panic as massive fire breaks out at Georgia Walmart, collapses roof

Three police officers were injured after a roof collapsed during a massive fire at a Walmart in Peachtree City, Georgia, on Wednesday, authorities said.

Peachtree City Fire Department Chief Wilbur Harbin told reporters and local media the fire broke out around 7 p.m. and engulfed the retail portion of the store, with several social media videos capturing the thick, black smoke spreading from the rooftop. Other videos showed the fire from inside the store, with clothes racks ablaze and customers in panic mode.

Firefighters took on the fire from inside the store at first but then the roof collapsed, forcing the blaze to be attacked from outside the Walmart. Several nearby fire departments assisted in putting out the fire.

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"While fighting the fire with a large amount of water, they report the structural members from the roof began to collapse on them, so the decision was made to back out and the incident commander made the decision to go defensive and fight the fire from the outside of the building," Harbin told reporters.

Three Peachtree City police officers were the only reported injuries and are being treated at the local hospital for smoke inhalation from yelling at people to get out on time, according to Harbin.

Officials are still working to determine the cause of the fire, Harbin said. The Walmart will be closed temporarily closed to address the damage.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia Walmart fire: Roof collapses, 3 injured as video shows panic