Large fire breaks out at Tyler Perry Studios in southwest Atlanta

May 2, 2012 - 04:36
May 2, 2012 - 07:50
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Large fire breaks out at Tyler Perry Studios in southwest Atlanta
Blaze Damages Tyler Perry Studios

Firefighters are still checking for hot spots from a four-alarm fire at Tyler Perry Studios in southwest Atlanta.

Nearly 100 firefighters were called out to the complex off of Continental Colony Parkway around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Investigators said they believe the fire began at a four-story sound stage, which was severely damaged.

There were initial reports that the sound stage had partially collapsed, but the fire was limited to the front fascia of the building. The structural integrity of the building is intact.

No one was in the building at the time and no one was injured in the fire.

Perry was at the complex Tuesday night and spoke with Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, Bundrige said. Perry did not speak to reporters gathered nearby.

"(I was) just riding past and just saw flames coming from the building and heard stuff breaking and stuff like that," witness Elijah Orengo said.

By 10 p.m., the flames were extinguished but firefighters continue to battle hot spots.

The multimillion-dollar facility sits on 30 acres in southwest Atlanta. The studio opened in October 2008.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Senior citizens evacuated from nearby high-rise

Tuesday night's fire forced dozens of senior citizens out of their assisted living facility.

Residents of the Asbury Harris Epworth Towers said security evacuated everyone from the building for more than an hour while crews worked to extinguish the fire next door.

"We didn't know if something was going to blow up, you know, because we heard  a lot of popping and you could see sparks all up in the air -- sparks just going way up. Some looked like they were about to land on the building," evacuee Hassan Raheem said.

No one was injured during the hectic evacuation. Aside from the smell of smoke, the assisted living facility was not damaged.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.