ATLANTA — A fire tore through a historic apartment building in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood early Sunday morning leaving more than two dozen people without homes, fire officials said.
Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Deaunte Grier said they responded just before 2 a.m. to the North High Ridge Apartments off North Avenue. More than seven hours later, crews were still putting out hot spots.
Crews were forced into a defensive mode when there was a partial collapse of the building, believed to have been built in the 1920s.
The heavy winds "made it a little harder to fight this fire" as embers were landing on surrounding buildings, Grier said.
“When we first got out here it was only the corner that was on fire but within 45 minutes pretty much the whole building was in flames,” Lauren Stafford, who lives across from the apartments, said.
The building is a total loss, but Grier said there were no injuries to any residents or firefighters. A total of 28 people were displaced.
11Alive went to rubble that was left of the apartment complex on Sunday and captured the following photos.
(Story continues below gallery)
Photos | Rubble of North High Ridge Apartments after massive fire leaves it total loss
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia.