A malfunctioning cooler at the Family Dollar store Wednesday morning around 9 a.m. caused the store to begin filling with smoke, and within 20 minutes Boothbay Harbor Fire Department discovered the problem and shut off the power to the cooler, getting the situation under control.

The cooler was not working but the power was still on so it caused the wiring to overheat thus resulting in the smoke, said Fire Chief Nick Upham.

Firefighters from Boothbay and Southport also responded. Boothbay Harbor’s ladder truck was put into place in case the fire was going to spread.

Fans were placed in the store to clear the smoke.

Two employees who evacuated the building said they discovered the smoke when they were ready to open.