Fire at South Fulton recycling center under control after hours-long burn

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A large fire at an electronics recycling center in South Fulton was under control Monday after burning for hours, fire officials said.

The fire broke out Sunday at the center on Mallory Road. No injuries were reported, according to the South Fulton Fire Rescue Department.

Neighbors said they saw thick black smoke and heard loud noises coming from the building as the fire spread.

“I thought it was firecrackers at first, but then it started getting intense, and then it started sounding like the Transformers,” said Venita Murray, who lives near the facility.

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Another nearby resident said the sounds from the fire shook their home.

“Our house kind of shook at first, and that made me think that someone was in the house at first, which was kind of crazy,” the neighbor said.

Thick smoke from the fire was visible for miles. Deputy Fire Chief Jerome Byrd Jr. said firefighters faced difficult conditions because of debris and a roof collapse.

“There is a lot of debris. The roof collapsed, so we have to navigate those obstacles so we can get to the scene of the fire,” Byrd said.

Officials said air-quality conditions did not require evacuations, but they advised residents to avoid smoke exposure.

Murray said she and her granddaughter temporarily left their home because they did not know what was in the smoke or how close the fire was to their neighborhood.

“We took a bag with snacks and her juices and stuff and took it over to my friend’s house,” Murray said. “I was just so scared … that it was something else going on over here.”

Crews closed Mallory Road on Monday as they monitored for hot spots, began cleanup and continued their investigation.

Neighbors said they were relieved that no homes were damaged and no one was hurt.

“Just glad that we’re safe and glad that all of our neighbors are safe, glad that my family is safe,” the neighbor said.

The owner of the facility was at the scene Sunday. Atlanta News First contacted the business for comment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.