One person is dead after their vehicle crashed into the Walmart garden centre at South Edmonton Common early this morning.

"We're fairly confident that speed is a factor," said acting Sgt. Darren Sunley with the EPS major collision unit.

When police and the fire department arrived at the scene at 2 a.m. the vehicle was on fire.

The person inside the vehicle has not yet been identified. A police spokesperson said an autopsy will be needed to identify the gender of the person found inside the car.

Police have asked people to avoid that area of the mall.

The damage to the Walmart is extensive and employees have been told the store will be closed for at least two weeks.