DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Crews say a large fire heavily damaged an apartment complex in Brookhaven Friday morning. Dozens of people are now displaced.
Firefighters were called to the MAA Brookhaven, formerly known as Post Brookhaven, along Brookhaven Way NE in DeKalb County around 7 a.m.
Fire officials said another fire started around midnight at this same building on the first floor.
Everyone was evacuated at that time so no one was in the building when the second fire sparked about seven hours later.
“The first time, there was a fire on the first floor in one of the apartments,” said DeKalb County Fire Capt. Dion Bentley.
“We woke up to an announcement from the fire chief saying, ‘Please evacuate building 700. Please evacuate. There’s an active fire going on,’” said resident Mitch Hutton.
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Smoke from the two-alarm fire could be seen for miles in the area.
Fire officials are investigating if the two fires are related.
Several residents said it was an electrical fire, but Bentley said they’re still investigating and can’t confirm that just yet.
“Anytime you have a fire early in the morning or at night, it can be very dangerous,” Bentley said.
Red Cross officials said 24 units sustained major damage and that 41 people were displaced. Officials are working to help the victims with temporary lodging, food, clothing and other personal health items.
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