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Body discovered as multiple car fires break out around metro Atlanta

By and
Published  March 1, 2025 5:27pm EST
Decatur
FOX 5 Atlanta

Fires reported across metro Atlanta

Multiple fires were reported Saturday in Decatur, Peachtree City, Atlanta and South Fulton. That last investigation quickly turned into a death investigation. Here's what we know.

The Brief

    • A car fire at 5125 Covington Highway in DeKalb County quickly spread to nearby woods, igniting a large grass fire, according to the fire department.
    • Residents and drivers reported significant smoke in the area and low visibility.
    • It happened on March 1, following a "red flag" warning from the National Weather Service about potential fires due to high winds in the area.
    • Multiple other fires were reported in Peachtree City, Atlanta and South Fulton.
    • The fire in South Fulton quickly turned into a death investigation.

DECATUR, Ga. - Saturday was a busy day for Metro Atlanta first responders. Many were called to fires that broke out in several areas, including South Fulton where police are now looking into one person’s death. 

The gruesome discovery of a body inside a burning camper on Saturday afternoon came as a shock to some residents.

Fire, death under investigation in South Fulton, police say

What we know:

Fire officials were first called to extinguish flames reported coming from the camper parked near Koweta Road just after 2:30 pm.

The fire investigation quickly shifted to a death investigation that continued into the night.

10 Peachtree City homes evacuated as fire spreads through neighborhood

Not even an hour after that investigation began, 10 homes inside the Crescent Oak subdivision in Peachtree City had to be evacuated due to a brush fire that started at the Braelinn Golf Club.

RELATED: 10 Peachtree City homes evacuated as fire spreads through neighborhood

Peachtree City Fire Rescue says at least ten homes were evacuated during a large brush fire in the Crescent Oak subdivision on March 1, 2025. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

The fire got within ten feet of homes, but ultimately only a shed was destroyed.

Car fire in Decatur spreads to woods, fills air with thick smoke

Across town in Decatur, Panola Road and part of Covington Highway were shut down for several hours as DeKalb County fire crews worked to put out multiple grass fires that were sparked by embers from a fire at a nearby tire shop.

Decatur fire sends thick smoke into air

DeKalb County fire crews are battling a brush fire near the intersection of Panola Road and Covington Highway.

A total of four structures—the tire shop, a storage facility and two residential structures—were damaged as a result of those fires. 

DeKalb County fire crews joined Atlanta firefighters in battling flames from an RV near another tire shop at the intersection of Warren Street and Moreland Avenue just before 8 pm. That fire spread to two other cars.

Atlanta fire officials said there were no injuries, but it appeared several residents were displaced. 

DeKalb County Fire Rescue battles car fire-turned-grass fire in Decatur on March 1, 2025.

Red flag warning issued, high winds threaten fires

All of this came just hours after the National Weather Service issued a "red flag," warning that fires were possible in multiple metro Atlanta counties due to high winds.

The following counties were impacted:

Pike County, DeKalb County, Catoosa County, Lamar County, Gwinnett County, Heard County, Jasper County, Henry County, Cherokee County, Floyd County, Union County, North Fulton County, Troup County, Coweta County, Spalding County, Newton County, Greene County, Dade County, Oglethorpe County, Morgan County, Lumpkin County, Rockdale County, Chattooga County, Forsyth County, Clayton County, Fayette County, Walton County, Carroll County, Whitfield County, Banks County, Hall County, Cobb County, Fannin County, Bartow County, Jackson County, Madison County, Clarke County, Gordon County, Upson County, Meriwether County, Murray County, Towns County, South Fulton County, Polk County, Paulding County, Putnam County, Walker County, Oconee County, Dawson County, Butts County, White County, Haralson County, Barrow County, Douglas County, Gilmer County, Pickens County.

That alert expired at 10 p.m. Saturday.

What we don't know:

While wind was a factor in the day’s incidents, investigators are working to figure out the cause of each of these fires.

It’s unclear how many residents in the Moreland Avenue fire were displaced.

The cause of death for the victim found in South Fulton is also unknown at this time.

The Source: The information in this story has been confirmed by the South Fulton Police Department, DeKalb County Fire Rescue, Peachtree City Fire and Atlanta Fire Rescue. Information about the red flag warning was provided by the National Weather Service.

DecaturNews