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Vacant Atlanta apartment building engulfed in flames again

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Published  January 20, 2025 4:58pm EST
SW Atlanta
FOX 5 Atlanta

Early morning vacant Atlanta apartment fire

Atlanta firefighters spent the early morning hours on Monday fighting a vacant apartment fire in the freezing cold.

The Brief

    • Firefighters responded to a blaze at a vacant two-story wood-frame building on 3rd Avenue early Monday morning.
    • The building, which had previously caught fire, was fully engulfed in flames upon the crews' arrival.
    • Frigid temperatures created additional challenges, such as icy streets and reduced visibility due to low-lying smoke.
    • No injuries or rescues were reported, as the building was unoccupied, though it may have been used by individuals experiencing homelessness.
    • The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with authorities working to determine how it started.

ATLANTA - A vacant apartment located along 3rd Avenue near Dearwood Drive SW went up in flames early Monday morning.

Firefighters in Atlanta spent the morning putting out the blaze.

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Firefighters battle a blaze at a vacant apartment building along 3rd Avenue near Dearwood Drive in southwest Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025. (FOX 5)

What we know:

Crews arrived at the scene around 6:30 a.m. to find the two-story wood-framed structure fully engulfed in flames.

"This was a defensive operation from the start," said Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Deonte Greer. "It’s a previously burned structure that caught fire again. It’s still under investigation."

Firefighters battled the blaze amid frigid temperatures, which posed unique challenges. "The streets are icing up very fast from the water coming from the apparatus," Greer explained. "The cold weather is also banking the smoke down low, making visibility difficult. We’re making sure our members stay safe, watching where we walk."

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and no rescues were needed as the building was unoccupied. "No one lives there," Greer said, adding that the structure may have been frequented by individuals experiencing homelessness.

What we don't know:

The building, previously damaged by fire, has been a recurring issue. "It appears this property has burned multiple times," Greer noted. "It’s owned by someone, but it keeps catching fire. That’s a problem."

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigators are working to determine how it started. "Once we know the cause of the fire, we’ll share that information," said Greer.

Investigators will also conduct a thorough search to ensure no one was inside the structure.

This remains an active investigation.

The Source: FOX 5 spoke with Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Deonte Greer at the scene for the details in this article. 

SW AtlantaNews