Firefighters in southwest Atlanta worked tirelessly to contain a massive fire that engulfed a warehouse on Avon and Murphy avenues earlier Tuesday. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, multiple crews were dispatched to the scene near the railroad tracks by East Point after the fire broke out. Witnesses reported towering flames and thick smoke ascending into the pre-dawn sky.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department was quick to respond shortly before 2 a.m. to the intense blaze. Crews immediately went to work to try and contain the fire, which reportedly began on the roof of the building at 1150 Murphy Avenue SW. Atlanta News First noted that although the fire was eventually extinguished, the cause remains a mystery pending an investigation.
As firefighters continued their vigil into the morning, the fire was confirmed by both sources to be contained. There have been no reports of injuries at this time. Authorities have, however, set up a perimeter, cordoning off the area to facilitate emergency operations and to ensure public safety, as stated by FOX 5 Atlanta. This comes as an inconvenience to commuters returning to work after the holiday season, who have been advised to seek alternate routes to avoid heavy delays.
Police maintain a blockade several blocks wide, ensuring that curious onlookers and uninvolved traffic are kept at a safe to avoid distance. The disruption is expected to continue into the day until crews are absolutely certain that all hot spots within the charred remains have been dealt with, as per the same FOX 5 Atlanta report. Cleanup and investigation into what caused the Atlanta community this latest hardship will soon follow.
