An overnight fire ripped through part of a two-story apartment building on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW in northwest Atlanta early Monday, jolting residents awake but, remarkably, leaving everyone physically unharmed. Firefighters were able to contain the flames, although several units were damaged and officials have not yet said how many people were forced out of their homes.
Officials and response
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, which cited the Atlanta Fire Department, crews responded overnight and worked to knock down flames that had spread through portions of the two-story building. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported. They have not released the full scope of the damage or the number of residents displaced, and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Fire department advice and resources
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department continues to push its free smoke-alarm program and community education efforts, resources that become especially crucial after a fire like this one. According to the department’s community information page, residents can call 404-546-7000 for help installing or checking smoke alarms, for basic fire-prevention guidance, and for information on how to obtain incident reports through the city’s records process.
Where displaced residents can turn
The American Red Cross of Greater Atlanta offers emergency shelter, meals and immediate support to families affected by home fires, and anyone who needs that kind of help can call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Local nonprofits and building managers typically coordinate with the Red Cross and city agencies to connect displaced residents with short-term housing and recovery services.
Investigators with Atlanta Fire Rescue will continue working to determine where and how the fire started, and officials have not provided a timetable for when those answers might come. Residents who need official incident records can submit requests through the city’s open-records system on ATL311 or contact the fire department directly.
