Multiple homes in southeast Atlanta had to be evacuated overnight after an explosion caused a major fire at a nearby pallet facility, authorities said.
Firefighters responded to the Pallet Depot on Sawtell Avenue about 2:40 a.m. Friday, Atlanta fire spokesman Sgt. Cortez Stafford said.
“It’s a business with a heavy load of wooden pallets that they move in and out,” he told reporters at the scene.
He said when firefighters arrived, about 60% of the warehouse was engulfed in flames.
WATCH: Nearby homes evacuated as crews fight large fire at #Atlanta business - https://t.co/RrMRstpHBu pic.twitter.com/tSZzTIFRb1
— John Spink (@johnjspink) October 4, 2019
“Our units reported flames shooting 70 to 100 feet in the air,” Stafford said.
Because the fire was so large, authorities evacuated nearby homes as a precaution.
Atlanta Fire operating at 412 Sawtell Ave, SW. Heavy fire involvement on arrival at Pallet Depot. 3rd alarm requested with all hands working. Multiple homes evacuated. #AFRD pic.twitter.com/LtsS8VOnml
— Atlanta Fire Rescue (@ATLFireRescue) October 4, 2019
No homes were damaged in the blaze, but the fire did spread to one backyard, he said. Firefighters also stopped trains from running on a track near the facility, authorities said.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze is still undetermined.
Atlanta Fire Investigators have been on scene since day break combing through debris and rubble from a massive #fire that tore through a pallet business this morning on Sawtell Ave in SW #Atlanta. Cause is still undetermined. #AFRD #palletfire pic.twitter.com/al4LJqnk7r
— Atlanta Fire Rescue (@ATLFireRescue) October 4, 2019
