Firefighters battle 2-alarm fire along Buford Highway

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Firefighters spent Wednesday afternoon on the scene of a 2-alarm apartment fire off Buford Highway.

Firefighters responded just after 3:30 p.m. to the Esquire apartments located in the 3100 block of Buford Highway, just north of North Druid Hills Road. DeKalb County Fire Captain Dion Bentley said they found a 2-story apartment building with heavy smoke and flames.

Crews were forced to battle the blaze from the outside of the building because of the intensity.

Firefighters said at least 30 people were left without a place to live. The Red Cross is assisting those families and the property managers said they are working to find long-term housing for those displaced.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

There were no reports of injuries. Firefighters said everyone was evacuated safely and all residents were accounted for. 

Several lanes of Buford Highway were closed well into the evening rush to accommodate fire vehicles. All lanes reopened shortly before 7 p.m.