Residents escape blaze after using fireplace to keep warm

Residents using their fireplace for heat were driven from their southwest Atlanta home early Tuesday when flames spread, officials said.

The blaze occurred at a two-story, wood frame house on Monte Vista Drive, Atlanta Fire Rescue battalion Chief Tony Terrell said.

Gas to the house had been shut off, he said.

“The house didn’t have any gas to it,” Terrell said.

Most of the fire was on the second floor. No injuries were reported. The homeowner said everyone was out of the house, Terrell said.