Fire crews busy with 2 blazes a mile apart in southwest Atlanta

On September 17, 2024, firefighters in southwest Atlanta faced a busy evening as they battled two separate fires within a mile of each other. The first fire broke out at an apartment complex on Martin Luther King Jr Drive SW, where all residents managed to evacuate safely, though a dog was rescued from an upstairs unit by the brave firefighters. Shortly after addressing this fire, crews were alerted to an abandoned two-story building in the 2600 block of MLK, where they discovered flames emanating from the structure. Assistant Chief Greg Bray indicated that the fire in the abandoned building seemed to have originated in the basement and spread to the attic. Although the exact number of people impacted by the apartment fire remains unclear, it was confirmed that there were no injuries reported among residents.

Firefighters were able to respond swiftly due to their proximity to the first fire, demonstrating their readiness and efficiency. The cause of both fires is currently under investigation, with authorities working diligently to determine the circumstances. The events highlight ongoing concerns about fire safety in the community, especially in relation to abandoned properties.