Rex mattress, furniture stores catch fire

REX, Ga. - Rex Furniture Company and Sleep Solutions of Atlanta, a mattress warehouse located in Rex, have been burning for hours on Tuesday. Nearly 46 firefighters have been working on the defense to contain, and eventually put out, the flames.

Tim Sweat, the Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services fire chief, said witnesses reported hearing a loud "boom" before the stores went up in flames, reportedly starting on the roof. Sweat explained the two facilities are not attached, but located very close to one another.

When the crews got to the scene, they said the fire had spread through the entirety of one of the structures.

Upon further investigation, they realized the other store was also on fire. Sweat estimated about 200,000-square-feet worth of both facilities were involved.

When asked what could have caused the "boom," the fire chief explained that both facilities were powered by gas. They also both carried combustible products, according to Sweat. It's not clear what exactly caused the sound.

So far, Sweat said he does not believe anyone was inside the building. So far, there have been no reported injuries.

Sweat predicted the crews, which consisted of 10 trucks and dozens of firefighters, would be out there for the rest of the night, possibly into the morning, to put the fire out.