Massive fire rips through Brookhaven apartment complex

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Massive fire rips through Brookhaven apartment complex

A fire Monday morning at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments is sending huge flames and smoke into the air over nearly Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads.

DeKalb County fire crews battled a massive blaze Monday morning at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments on Lenox Park Circle.

DeKalb County fire crews battled a massive blaze Monday morning at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments on Lenox Park Circle.

DeKalb County fire crews battled a massive blaze Monday morning at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments on Lenox Park Circle.

DeKalb County fire crews battled a massive blaze Monday morning at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments on Lenox Park Circle.

DeKalb County fire crews battled a massive blaze Monday morning at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments on Lenox Park Circle.

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighborsÕ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. ÒHe eventually came out,Ó Thorne said. ÒI was going to have to kick the door down if they didnÕt get out of there.Ó Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. ÒIt started on the third floor so the fire didnÕt have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,Ó Daniels said. ÒBut unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.Ó He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fireÕs cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighbors’ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. “He eventually came out,” Thorne said. “I was going to have to kick the door down if they didn’t get out of there.” Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. “It started on the third floor so the fire didn’t have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,” Daniels said. “But unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.” He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fire’s cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: Left to right - Tommy Hicks, Jason Rutland and Boyd Franklin of Truck-2 rehab from the heat and fighting fire. All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighbors’ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. “He eventually came out,” Thorne said. “I was going to have to kick the door down if they didn’t get out of there.” Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. “It started on the third floor so the fire didn’t have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,” Daniels said. “But unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.” He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fire’s cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighbors’ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. “He eventually came out,” Thorne said. “I was going to have to kick the door down if they didn’t get out of there.” Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. “It started on the third floor so the fire didn’t have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,” Daniels said. “But unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.” He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fire’s cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighborsÕ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. ÒHe eventually came out,Ó Thorne said. ÒI was going to have to kick the door down if they didnÕt get out of there.Ó Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. ÒIt started on the third floor so the fire didnÕt have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,Ó Daniels said. ÒBut unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.Ó He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fireÕs cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighborsÕ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. ÒHe eventually came out,Ó Thorne said. ÒI was going to have to kick the door down if they didnÕt get out of there.Ó Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. ÒIt started on the third floor so the fire didnÕt have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,Ó Daniels said. ÒBut unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.Ó He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fireÕs cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighborsÕ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. ÒHe eventually came out,Ó Thorne said. ÒI was going to have to kick the door down if they didnÕt get out of there.Ó Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. ÒIt started on the third floor so the fire didnÕt have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,Ó Daniels said. ÒBut unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.Ó He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fireÕs cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighbors’ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. “He eventually came out,” Thorne said. “I was going to have to kick the door down if they didn’t get out of there.” Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. “It started on the third floor so the fire didn’t have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,” Daniels said. “But unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.” He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fire’s cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighborsÕ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. ÒHe eventually came out,Ó Thorne said. ÒI was going to have to kick the door down if they didnÕt get out of there.Ó Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. ÒIt started on the third floor so the fire didnÕt have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,Ó Daniels said. ÒBut unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.Ó He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fireÕs cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighborsÕ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. ÒHe eventually came out,Ó Thorne said. ÒI was going to have to kick the door down if they didnÕt get out of there.Ó Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. ÒIt started on the third floor so the fire didnÕt have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,Ó Daniels said. ÒBut unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.Ó He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fireÕs cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

July 18, 2022 DeKalb County: All residents of a Brookhaven apartment building were able to escape their homes safely when a massive blaze broke out early Monday morning, July 18, 2022. No injuries were reported in the fire at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments, which sent huge flames and smoke high into the air above nearby Roxboro and North Druid Hills roads at the start of the morning commute. Everyone inside the building evacuated before the first crews arrived about 6:30 a.m., thanks in large part to the effort of one man. Yusuf Thorne was on his way into work when he heard a subtle cracking sound and spotted the fire coming from an apartment on the third floor. Thorne said he called 911, connected with a dispatcher, and immediately hung up to begin knocking on his neighborsÕ doors. He escorted one woman to safety and went back again to try to wake another neighbor. ÒHe eventually came out,Ó Thorne said. ÒI was going to have to kick the door down if they didnÕt get out of there.Ó Thorne said he had to continue knocking on doors as the fire spread. According to fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels, the flames reached an attic space and eventually destroyed several third-floor units. ÒIt started on the third floor so the fire didnÕt have very far to travel to get to the attic, really saving the apartments on the bottom from fire damage,Ó Daniels said. ÒBut unfortunately, the top apartments had severe fire damage.Ó He estimates about 18 families will lose their homes and need the assistance of the American Red Cross for temporary lodging and other emergency needs. Fire crews dug through the debris Monday morning to learn the extent of the damage. Investigators have not determined the fireÕs cause or exact origin. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

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Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com

DeKalb County fire crews battled a massive blaze Monday morning at the Evergreen Lenox Park apartments on Lenox Park Circle.

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