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Officials rule fire at Shaq's landmark Krispy Kreme store in Atlanta was arson

Investigators officially determined that the fire that broke out at Shaquille O’Neal’s landmark Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store in Atlanta earlier this month was arson, they announced on Friday.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department announced the news on social media, and asked for the public’s help in identifying a suspect. The department released two photos of a suspect involved, and offered a $10,000 reward.

Specific details about how the fire was started are not yet known.

Fire broke out at Shaq’s Krispy Kreme store

A fire at O’Neal’s landmark Krispy Kreme store broke out early on Feb. 10. Two employees were working the store’s drive-thru at the time, but escaped the building safely after they spotted wires smoking.

Nobody was injured in the fire, though it looked very damaging. Firefighters ended up salvaging most of the building.

The Krispy Kreme location opened in 1965, part of the franchise’s initial expansion away from North Carolina. O’Neal purchased the location in 2016. The NBA Hall of Famer also became a global spokesman for the company.

It's unclear when the store will be able to open again, but O'Neal has pledged that they "will be back stronger than ever."

Firefighters work at the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store owned by Shaquille O'Neal in Atlanta
Firefighters work at the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store in Atlanta on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. The historic store was engulfed in flames early Wednesday. The store owned by NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (AP/Ron Harris)

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