Fire investigators returned Tuesday to a northwest Atlanta business that burned Monday afternoon, sending billowing smoke clouds high into the sky just in time for rush hour.
More than 60 firefighters worked quickly to keep the flames from spreading to nearby businesses and homes.
The business, Doors Unlimited Inc., on Trabert Avenue near 17th Street and Atlantic Station, caught fire shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, sending up flames and smoke that could be seen from miles away. The business sells and installs garage doors, according to the company's website.
One firefighters, whose name was not released, was hospitalized in stable condition Monday evening due to heat-related illness, Capt. Marian McDaniel with the Atlanta Fire Department said.
"Crews operated in a defensive mode due to a potential collapse of both structures on the property," McDaniel said in an emailed statement Monday night. "The structural integrity of the both buildings was compromised."
Tim Dorr, who lives on Pine Street, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he had just gotten home from work when a neighbor spotted the flames and called 911.
"I wanted to make sure my house would be safe," Dorr said.
Dorr said firefighters kept the fire from spreading to homes like his in the Midtown neighborhood, which has plenty of trees that could have easily ignited, he said. Another business next door to the burning building did not appear to sustain major damage, Dorr said.
McDaniel said Tuesday that fire investigators were still working to determine what sparked the blaze.
Alan O'Regan, whose home is less 100 yards away on Groveland Avenue, said he spotted the flames on his drive home. His home was safe, he said. Many of his neighbors stood outside watching as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
The flames were extinguished around 5:40 p.m., but firefighters continued to battle hot spots. Heavy rains also moved through the area, helping to douse the burned site.
The owner of Doors Unlimited used Twitter to confirm that his company was the site of the fire.
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