Update: Walmart Re-Opens After Chemical Spill

Update, 9:50 p.m.: Walmart will re-open at 7 a.m. Wednesday after a chemical spill behind the building Tuesday afternoon shut down the store, according to Lexington Police.

A contractor arrived Tuesday night and cleaned up an acidic chemical that leaked from an 18-wheeler parked behind the store, according to police. 

The store was partially evacuated just after 2 p.m., and completely closed around 4 p.m.

Update, 5:30 p.m.: The Walmart on Sunset Boulevard remains closed while firefighters and police officers wait for a crew to clean up a chemical spill behind the building. 

The store was partially evacuated just after 2 p.m. Tuesday after an 18-wheeler delivering goods to the store started leaking, said a spokesperson for the police department. The store was completely closed around 4 p.m.

A private contractor is on the way to the store to clean up the spill and eliminate any hazard, according to the police department. The store will remain closed during the cleanup because of the proximity of the HVAC system to the leak. 

Check back with Patch for updates.

Original story, 3 p.m.: Lexington Police are asking people to avoid the area near Walmart on Sunset Boulevard due to a chemical spill. 

The store was evacuated after a chemical leaked from a trailer parked in the rear of the building, according to Lexington Police. 

Lexington County firefighters and EMS are on the scene. Firefighters are trying to identify the chemical. 

The parking lot has been secured. Lexington Police say stores in the adjacent strip mall are still open.

Check back with Patch for updates.