(Tucker, Ga., Sept. 7, 2019) - Firefighters responded on Friday, September 6, 2019 at 9:38pm, to multiple reports of a fire in a neighboring building at the Capella Apartments on the 801 block of Preston Lake Drive, NW in Tucker.

Crews arrived to find heavy fire on the left side of a 2/3 split-level, multi-family dwelling. The building had been evacuated prior to the arrival of fire trucks. Per the District Commander, by the time firefighters arrived, the fire had moved from the first floor and worked its way up to the roof. Fire personnel deployed a 2 ½-inch line to begin battling the blaze.  Flames began burning in the attic and breaking through the roof. The Incident Commander wanted to ensure that the apartment units on the right side of the breezeway were not damaged by the fire so aerial operations were started.  The turrets mounted on the ladder truck were used to bring the flames under control.  A 1 ¾-inch hand line was deployed to protect the building located on the left of the fire unit.

Heavy water damage was noted to the two units on the first floor. The blaze caused heavy fire damage to the three apartment units on the second floor. According to the Fire Investigator, the exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under active investigation. The fire appears to have started on the first floor.

The American Red Cross was contacted to provide temporary assistance for the families (19-adults and 13-children) displaced by the fire. While the left side of the breezeway was only impacted by the fire, power to the entire building had to be turned off. One firefighter sustained a minor injury but was able to continue working.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 6-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 1-Squad, 1-Air and Light Truck, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Special Response Unit, 1-Medical Supervisor, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander, 1-Fire Investigator, and 1- PIO.