Brookhaven police are investigating after a minivan burst into flames and was abandoned Tuesday morning at a QuikTrip on Buford Highway.
Its occupants went inside the gas station and returned to find their vehicle on fire, according to police Lt. Abrem Ayana. They ran from the scene and have not been identified or located Tuesday.
Huge flames and black smoke could be seen pouring from the minivan just after 6 a.m. Authorities briefly closed the intersection of Buford Highway and North Cliff Valley Road until the fire was brought under control.
Check out this vehicle fire at the QT in Brookhaven. It is located on Buford Hwy at N. Cliff Valley Rd. Stay w/@wsbradio @wsbtv for updates. #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/VP7PHN0PLJ
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) November 16, 2021
While the fire did not spread to the building, the intense heat melted an awning over the front entrance.
Ayana said the incident is not being investigated as a crime. The vehicle was not reported stolen, and the fire did not appear to be intentionally set, the police spokesman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
It was not clear what caused the fire.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
