Atlanta neighborhoods were rattled yesterday morning by a house fire that consumed a residence on Garibaldi Street SW in the Mechanicsville area. Firefighters arrived on the scene prior to 6:30 a.m., amidst reports of someone possibly trapped inside the blazing home. However, these reports proved to be unfounded as the house was confirmed to be vacant at the time the fire broke out.
A man, purported to be the homeowner, was taken into custody at the scene, although his identity and the potential charges he may face have not been disclosed to the public. The FOX 5 Atlanta coverage noted that the cause of the fire is still undetermined. Despite the intensity of the flames, which extended from the first floor to the second, fire crews successfully subdued the conflagration, although the home sustained severe damage.
"It was heavy fire throughout the first floor. They made an aggressive attack," Atlanta Assistant Fire Chief Greg Gray said in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta. "It had extended up to the second floor and they were able to get it out in an offensive posture."
The suspicion that the homeowner had a history of setting fires came from residents of the area. David Holder, a neighbor, recounted to Atlanta News First, “A couple weeks ago, we saw him light his curtains on fire and he stuck the curtains out the window.” The man was later taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for crisis and mental health evaluation.
Those with any information that might aid the investigation are encouraged to step forward and contact the Atlanta Police Department. The swift response by over 50 Atlanta Fire Rescue Department personnel prevented the blaze from spreading to neighboring structures, averting what could have been a much larger disaster.
