Quick-acting employee helps contain Atlanta gas station fire

A Northside Drive gas station was destroyed by a fire Friday afternoon, according to investigators and video from the scene.

But a quick-acting employee of the Shell station near I-75 helped the fire from spreading even more by pulling the emergency valve that shuts off the gas, according to a spokesman for the Atlanta fire department.

Investigators believe a motorcycle at a pump ignited, sending flames through the gas station awning and into the convenience store, according to Anaré Holmes with the fire department.

“At this time we don’t know what the particular issue with the motorcycle was,” Holmes told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

No injuries were reported, Holmes said.

The fire caught the attention of drivers in the area, who noticed the large billows of smoke in the area. Videos posted to social media showed massive flames.

Exit 252 was temporarily closed, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Commuters were urged to use the Howell Mill Road exit instead, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported.

A portion of Northside Drive between Bellemeade Avenue and Echota Drive was also closed while fire crews battled the blaze.

Atlanta officers were at the scene assisting with traffic control, a police spokesperson said.

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