UPDATE: Fire Reported Near Morris Brown College

Photo: Atlanta Fire Rescue, Twitter

Atlanta firefighters are near Morris Brown College battling a two-alarm fire which has broken out inside a building on Thursday afternoon.

Flames can be seen coming from the roof of the building. The building on fire is the dormitory formerly known as Gaines Hall. Atlanta Fire Rescue spokeswoman Janet Ward tells Patch that the building is vacant.

Morris Brown College has released the following statement concerning the ownership of Gaines Hall

“Current news reports indicating a fire in progress on the campus of Morris Brown College are incorrect. The building formerly known as Gaines Hall that is reportedly on fire was purchased by Invest Atlanta. The college is currently in operation retaining ownership of the Administration Building, the Griffin Hightower Classroom building and the historic Fountain Hall. All other properties are no longer owned by Morris Brown College. In March 2015, Bishop Preston Warren Williams, II, Chairman of the Board of Trustees announced that Morris Brown College officially emerged from bankruptcy. As a part of the proceedings, the college sold assets through the 363 sale process in a transaction with InVest Atlanta and Friendship Baptist Church selling approximately 26 acres of properties and buildings. The college remained in operation throughout the Chapter 11 Reorganization process and continues to receive financial support from alumni, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Sixth Episcopal District of the AME Church, trustees, faculty, staff and administration.”

Google Maps reports that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive is closed near Mitchell and Magnum streets, which are also closed to prevent entry to the area.