A fire in a cardboard compactor and baler caused about $1,000 in damage Wednesday afternoon at a Columbus store.

Firefighters were called to the Office Max store in the Columbus Center on National Road at about 4:20 Wednesday afternoon. Employees had noticed a fire in the cardboard baler and after emptying two fire extinguishers, the fire was still going, says Capt. Mike Wilson with the Columbus Fire Department.

About four customers were evacuated as light smoke began to fill the store. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze with a water hose, Wilson says.

Firefighters stayed on scene to remove the smoke from the building and checked the air in neighboring stores to make sure it was safe.. Investigators believe the fire was caused by an electrical short. in the compactor’s motor.