Fire extinguished at homeless encampment near I-85
Atlanta fire crews were able to extinguish a blaze at a homeless encampment in the woods near the junction of I-85 and Buford Highway on Monday afternoon.
No injuries were reported and no one was present at the scene when firefighters arrived, the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department announced in a tweet. A thick column of smoke rising from the fire over I-85 led to concerns about visibility on the highway, but no major traffic delays were reported.
Firefighters responded to the scene where “tents and vegetation were heavily involved,” the agency tweeted. The agency did not provide details about the extent of the damage.
Atlanta fire vehicles were stopped in the right northbound lane of Buford Highway just past the I-85 overpass as firefighters brought the blaze under control. Traffic is continuing to flow smoothly through the area.
About the Author
Henri Hollis is a reporter and restaurant critic for the Food & Dining team. Formerly a freelance writer and photographer with a focus on food and restaurants, he joined the AJC full-time in January 2021, first covering breaking news. He is a lifelong Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia Tech.
