Atlanta prison farm roof catches fire

Firefighters are battling a fire at an abandoned jail in DeKalb County.

The roof of the old Atlanta Prison Farm at Key and Fayetteville Roads, east of Moreland Avenue, caught fire early Sunday afternoon.

Officials are not yet sure how the unoccupied abandoned structure caught fire, said DeKalb Fire Captain, Eric Jackson.

“We have gotten reports that there were homeless people in the area,” said Jackson. “But we cannot say for sure how the fire started.”

There is no electricity or gas on in the structure.

Firefighter are fighting the fire defensively.

“We haven’t found anything or anyone yet,” said Jackson. “We are letting it burn while controlling it. It is not worth putting our fighters in any risk.”

Check ajc.com for updates.