Flames tear through business in northwest Atlanta

ATLANTA - Firefighters are working to determine what sparked a fire that ripped through a commercial building in northwest Atlanta early Monday morning.

The fire broke out at an unoccupied structure located on Trabert Avenue. Responding firefighters said upon arrival flames were already shooting from the roof of the 50-by-50 foot building. That caused them to go to a second alarm.

Due to the blaze having a good head start, and the fact that there was no one inside the building, firefighters decided to battle it from a defensive approach.  They said that decision extended the time needed to completely extinguish the fire.

No injuries have been reported, and firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to two nearby businesses.  

The cause is still under undetermined.  Fire investigators have been call in, but the department said it has no reason to suspect arson.