ATLANTA — Atlanta Fire and Rescue firefighters battled a massive blaze Thursday night at a historic building on Ponce de Leon Avenue.
Smoke was seen billowing from the ground from a fire that appeared to be coming from a building across from the historic Krispy Kreme that burned to the ground in 2021. An 11Alive viewer sent in a video of the plumes of smoke rising into the air over the Atlanta skyline.
11Alive was at the scene where firefighters were seen putting water on the old Atlanta Eagle and Original Kodak Moments building in the 300 block of Ponce de Leon Ave. NE. The Kodak building has not been destroyed, fire officials said at the scene.
Several lanes were blocked off as crews worked to extinguish the fire.
An Atlanta fire official said the structure is about 100 years old. The second floor was fully engulfed, and due to its age and condemnation, it became a defensive operation.
In 2020, former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms designated the building as a historic landmark, citing its significance to the LGBTQ community. The Atlanta Eagle bar was also the site of a controversial 2009 police raid that resulted in a lawsuit and 16 officers being found guilty of lying or destroying evidence. Six officers were also fired. The incident led to policy and training changes.
Now, those who live close to the historic site worry about its future.
"Eagle Club been there for decades and catered to this community here, especially Old Fourth Ward, but I never expected that this would happen to this building. This area played a vital role in society, and we would go there and go to their bars. Get drinks every now and then," longtime resident Rudy Griffin said.
11Alive is waiting to hear back from Atlanta Fire and Rescue. A fire investigator is looking into how the inferno started.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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