A fast-moving fire that displaced about 40 residents near Ansley Mall started when a cigarette wasn’t properly disposed, an Atlanta fire spokesman said.
The overnight blaze that damaged about five apartments and took about 50 firefighters to extinguish was ruled accidental Thursday, Atlanta fire Sgt. Cortez Stafford said.
But no residents or firefighters were hurt.
Crews were called to Ansley Forest apartments just before 11 p.m. Wednesday.
The flames shooting through the roof of the building were so intense when crews got to the complex in the 1600 block of Piedmont Avenue, firefighters had to change their plans.
Crews, who initially tried to fight the fire from inside the complex, backed everyone outside the building.
“After a few minutes, firefighters were able to go back in and get a handle on the fire,” Cortez said.
Volunteers met with residents to provide them shelter, food and clothing, Red Cross spokeswoman Divina Mims-Puckett said.
Although only five units were ruined, building damage will prevent anyone from occupying any of the building’s 12 units.
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