Firefighters notice downtown Atlanta high-rise on fire while driving by, officials say

ATLANTA — Atlanta firefighters responded to a fire at a high-rise condo building in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday evening, but not because they were called.

Assistant Chief Gary Robb confirmed that fire crews were leaving another call and noticed that The Landmark Condominiums on Piedmont Avenue was on fire.

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Assistant Chief Robb says that no one had called 911 by the time they arrived on the scene.

Crews evacuated the first three floors of the 20-story building and told everyone on the fourth floor and above to shelter in place while they battled the fire.

The fire started in a first-floor condo before spreading to the second floor. Homes on the third and fourth floors suffered smoke damage.

Approximately, 50 people were sheltered on MARTA buses while crews worked to put out the fire.

Six of the residents suffered minor smoke inhalation. Only one of them was taken to the hospital, according to fire officials.

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Channel 2′s Michael Doudna was live from the scene on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m. where he spoke with residents who were welcomed home to a fleet of firetrucks and first responders.

“Obviously, I was walking back here, and there was nothing but lights and sirens,” said

“I’m here in Atlanta with all my stuff in my room. Just my backpack on my back here and nowhere to go//Unless they let us in, I have nowhere to go,”

Power to the building is currently shut off. It is unclear when it will be turned back on.

Fire officials say the plan is to get those displaced back in their homes on Wednesday night, but investigators must finish with the scene first. There is no timeline on how long that could take.

Channel 2 Action News has reached out to the American Red Cross to see if they will be assisting.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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