HOLT, Fla., July 26, 2026—A call went out at the Holt Dollar General after employees smelled something burning and saw smoke inside the store today.

Everyone evacuated the store safely.

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Related: “Two car fires in one day keeps Holt Fire busy“

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Holt Fire District, assisted by Baker and Harold fire districts and Crestview Fire Department, responded to what was reported as a structure fire at the store just after 4 p.m. Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Okaloosa County EMS also responded to the call.

There were no flames, and after inspecting the inside of the store, firefighters climbed up on the roof to inspect the attic area and air conditioning units there.

According to Holt Fire Chief Scott Chestnut, one of the four A/C units wasn’t operating and when they pulled the panels from the unit, they found evidence of smoke. However, they could not determine what caused the A/C unit to begin smoking.

Because there was no fire, no hoses were pulled, only ladders.

Chestnut gave the all-clear and released the supporting units around 4:50 p.m. After employees inspected the store, Dollar General reopened around 5 p.m.