Neighbors reported hearing a loud explosion followed by smaller ones before a northeast Atlanta home was engulfed in flames Monday night.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames coming from the Helen Drive home, Atlanta battalion chief James McLemore said.
“It’s been very stubborn,” McLemore said. “There’s a lot of combustibles inside.”
Items including clothing, cars, a gasoline can and a gun were believed to have contributed to the fire’s strength, according to firefighters. No one was injured.
“We’re in a defensive operation,” McLemore said. “No one is inside for the safety of the firefighters.”
A neighbor, Vicki Edge, said she heard an explosion and ran to the home to alert the family, which was already exiting the house to safety. The family’s pets also made it out.
“The backyard went up very quickly,” Edge said. “The back deck was fully (engulfed) by the time I got from my house to their house, in just the time it took me to run over.”
Firefighters were expected to remain on the scene for several hours. The cause of the fire was not known late Monday.
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