ATLANTA -- A huge fire destroyed a vacant warehouse on Atlanta's North Avenue early Thursday morning and snarled traffic along the busy street during the beginning of the morning rush hour.

SLIDESHOW: North Avenue Warehouse Fire

The fire broke out about 3 a.m. at the warehouse once occupied by Dixie Seal and Stamp at the intersection of North Avenue and Somerset Terrace near City Hall East.

Flames were shooting through the roof when firefighters arrived on the scene, according to Atlanta Fire Department Assistant Chief Chris Wessels.

Firefighters went into a defensive mode to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings.

It took about an hour to get the fire under control, but firefighters were still putting out hotspots at 6 a.m.

All lanes of North Avenue were closed between Bonaventure Road and Glen Iris Drive. Commuters were advised to use Ponce de Leon Drive as an alternate route.

No injuries were reported and there's no word yet on a possible cause of the fire.