AUGUSTA—An electric heater used to warm customers entering Wal-Mart overheated Wednesday morning and left a smoky haze inside the store.

The heater malfunctioned and began to overheat around 6:30 a.m., Augusta Fire Department Battalion Chief Charlie Squires said. A store employee used a fire extinguisher on the heater before fire fighters arrived and limited the damage.

“It was contained to the heater,” Squires said.

The heater, which is about 10 feet long, hangs about 10 feet from the ceiling just inside main entrance and blows warm air on customers as they enter.

Wal-Mart may have to replace some of the contents of the building, particularly food products, because of state health guidelines, Squires said.

“It was pretty hazy throughout the store,” he said. “A little smoke goes a long way and little bit of order goes a long way.”