Arson at construction site linked to Atlanta training center protests, officials say

ATLANTA - Officials are investigating a fire at a construction site on Friday morning believed to be linked to protests against Atlanta's controversial public safety training center.

The fire broke out around 5 a.m. at a site on the corner of Boulevard SE and Custer Avenue. The location is a few blocks away from the planned training center site.

FOX 5 cameras saw multiple fire engines, FBI agents, and numerous law enforcement officers canvassing the scene for hours.

Firefighters and police arrived at the scene to find several pieces of construction equipment on fire. Officials say the blaze has been extinguished and there were no injuries.

Speaking hours after the fire, Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith and Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum say they have evidence to believe that the fire was an act of arson tied to protests against the training center, which activists have given the nickname "Cop City."

"We are close to private homes where families live, and we have arsons occurring. It really needs to stop." Smith said, calling the act "absolutely horrendous."

Investigators say the construction equipment belonged to a private contractor.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the fire, officials say an online posting appeared to indicate that the fire was started by people opposed to the training center.

Officials are asking the public to come forward with any surveillance footage or information that can help them identify those responsible for the fire.

‘Stop Cop City’ vandalism investigations

Atlanta police have previously spoken out about several intentionally set fires targeting construction equipment, describing the protesters' actions as ruthless and dangerous.

Law enforcement officials say their destruction has cost companies and police agencies millions of dollars in damaged equipment in at least four states across the country.

According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, another act of arson took place on Jan. 16. A piece of equipment belonging to a construction company associated with the training center was set on fire. Although no one has been arrested, Schierbaum said activists took responsibility for the arson on a website.

Last year, a South Carolina man was arrested for arson that officials have connected with the protests.

According to ABC News 4, the 23-year-old allegedly set fire to two trucks on Dec. 30 at Thomas Concrete in Summerville and spray-painted several messages related to the Public Safety Training Center on trucks at the property. 

A previous fire was reported on the morning of Nov. 16 and damaged construction equipment in Clayton County belonging to Brent Scarborough and Company, Inc. Two days before, a similar fire destroyed several vehicles belonging to a construction company in Lawrenceville.

A spokesperson for Ernst Concrete said the extent of the company's involvement with the APSTC was supplying two loads of concrete for the roadway surrounding the project.

"Ernst Concrete is not the concrete foundation company for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center," the company said.

According to an online post titled "Make Contractors Afraid Again," the anonymous group set the fire to make the cost of the contract greater than the profit. They also encouraged "experimentation with incendiary placement."

Last year, the APD, the Georgia State Fire Marshals and other law enforcement agencies announced a reward of up to $200,000 in hopes of catching the group behind the fires.