A massive blaze engulfed a vacant apartment building in the Bankhead neighborhood of northwest Atlanta early Monday, prompting a rapid response from the city’s firefighters. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, heavy flames and smoke were observed billowing from the building as captured in a aerial footage of the scene. Multiple fire crews were deployed to contain the inferno which was reported to have started on the second floor of the structure on Neal Place NW.

In a statement obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Fire and Rescue spokesperson Anaré Holmes described the challenges faced by the first responders, "Because of the building integrity issues," firefighters could not enter the building, forcing them to fight the flames from the outside. The initial dispatch was for a brush fire, but crews arriving on the scene quickly ascertained the severity of the situation with the apartment building engulfed in flames.

The Atlanta Fire Department confirmed that the building was vacant at the time the fire broke out, ensuring no residents were endangered by the blaze. As of now, there have been no injuries reported in connection with the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation with no clear immediate cause identified. Both FOX 5 Atlanta and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution are following the story, and promise updates as the investigation, proceeds and more details become known.