DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – A Friday morning fire engulfed a foreclosed lot on Rogers Lake Road in Lithonia, damaging an estimated 50 to 75 vehicles.

The fire, which broke out near a railroad line, presented unique challenges for firefighters who worked to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby railcars and liquid asphalt.

The DeKalb County fire chief and the owner of the holding lot believe a hybrid or electric vehicle may have started the fire, although fire investigators have not yet confirmed the cause. The presence of gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles complicated firefighting efforts because each required different extinguishing methods.

Witnesses described the scene as overwhelming, with the sounds of explosions and ricochets adding to the intensity of the fire. “There was a lot of stuff going off,” said one witness, describing the noise as “scary” and “like rounds going off.”

Fire crews used significant amounts of water and worked for hours to control and eventually extinguish the flames. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The owner of the seized lot noted that the vehicles were abandoned and already badly damaged. Cleanup efforts are now underway as investigators continue to examine the cause of the fire.

Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.