Before smoke drove concerned employees from the drive-thru, before flames were spotted from apartment windows, and before firefighters discovered the damage within, someone was setting fire outside the Krispy Kreme in Midtown.
Officials said Friday they now believe the fire that destroyed the iconic doughnut shop on Ponce de Leon Avenue earlier this month was the result of arson. The shop burned in the early morning hours of Feb. 10, gutting much of the building and closing the location indefinitely.
The building was thought to be a total loss, Atlanta fire spokesman Sgt. Cortez Stafford said at the time.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC
Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC
“The investigators believe the fire was intentionally set on the exterior of the building,” Stafford said Friday in a news release. “The fire spread quickly to the interior of the structure causing catastrophic damage.”
He did not say if investigators have determined a motive. A suspect, shown in newly released surveillance photos wearing all black, has not been identified.
Credit: Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
Credit: Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
The fast-moving fire broke out about 1 a.m. that day. Two employees working the 24-hour drive-thru were able to make it out safely after seeing wires smoking.
The entire back half of the building burned, charring the doughnut conveyor belt and melting the order counter. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who bought the franchise in 2016, posted a video to Instagram showing billowing black smoke and vowed to “be back stronger than ever.”
In a city without many longstanding landmarks, the Krispy Kreme was a mainstay. The shop opened in 1965 on the spot of the old Pig’n Whistle barbecue drive-in and was overhauled in 2003, the last time it was closed for an extended period.
In a statement, the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. said it was saddened to learn of the suspected arson but remained thankful no one was injured.
“We continue to work with authorities to assess the damage and are uncertain at this point how long the shop will be closed,” the company said. “But as stated earlier, we’re determined to be back better and sweeter than ever!”
Officials are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the arsonist. Anyone with information is asked to call the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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