Dillard's at Mall of Georgia catches fire Wednesday night

BUFORD, Ga. - Firefighters responded to a business fire at Dillard’s at the Mall of Georgia Wednesday evening after a dumpster fire spread to the exterior of the building.

What we know:

Crews were called to the store at 3333 Buford Drive in Buford around 7:28 p.m. after 911 callers reported flames coming from a dumpster and catching part of the building on fire. Firefighters arrived minutes later and found the fire extending from the dumpster into the parapet wall and exterior wall connected to the three-story structure.

Firefighters deployed hose lines to knock down the flames while search and evacuation teams cleared the building. About 40 occupants were evacuated with the help of mall security. Once the fire was brought under control around 7:51 p.m., crews worked to remove heavy smoke from inside the store. Officials said there was no fire extension into the main building, though damage was found to the parapet wall above the loading dock.

Dillard’s employees told firefighters they attempted to put out the dumpster fire with fire extinguishers before evacuating the store as the fire alarm activated. Fire officials determined the fire was accidental and originated in the dumpster. No injuries were reported.

What we don't know:

Officials are still investigating what may have caused the flames or whether charges are warranted.