Fire forces evacuations at Midtown high-rise

An early morning fire that investigators believe may have started on a balcony forced more than two dozen residents to evacuate a Midtown high-rise early Tuesday.

The fire at the Plaza Midtown, located at West Peachtree and 8th streets, was reported at 2:25 a.m., according to Atlanta fire Sgt. Cortez Stafford. The blaze was visible on the 18th floor of the 20-story building when firefighters arrived, Stafford said.

“Our units quickly went up, started evacuating people and knocking on every door,” Stafford said.

The early morning fire may have started on a balcony. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

The building’s sprinkler system helped contain the fire while residents were led down the stairs and outside. Between 25 and 30 residents, some in wheelchairs, were helped out of the building, Stafford said. Other residents were allowed to shelter in place on lower floors.

“With the high-rise fires, some of our main concerns are the amount of people in the building, the amount of fire spread,” Stafford said. “Sometimes the smoke can be contained, so we’re worried about that.”