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.
The fire that occurred at @krispykreme Doughnuts (295 Ponce de Leon) on February 10th, 2021 has been determined to be a result of ARSON. We are seeking the public’s help in identifying & locating the suspect in these pictures. Up to $10,000 reward. 1-800-282-5804 #AFRD pic.twitter.com/HotJquoNC1
— Atlanta Fire Rescue (@ATLFireRescue) February 26, 2021
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.
#BREAKING: Midtown @krispykreme store goes up in flames: https://t.co/pSf6Vsnfg2 This is video a viewer gave us of the fire. pic.twitter.com/WXVvnbQOx2
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) February 10, 2021
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."
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