ATLANTA – A historic Krispy Kreme Donuts store owned by Shaquille O’Neal was engulfed in flames early Wednesday, severely damaging the structure.
Atlanta firefighters responded to the iconic restaurant in Ponce De Leon Avenue shortly after midnight, news agencies reported. Video posted on social media showed raging flames.
Battalion Chief Douglas Hatcher said firefighters rescued most of the building after the fire started in the back. No injuries were reported. Hatcher said the cause of the fire is being investigated.
The Midtown Krispy Kreme opened in 1965. It was one of the first establishments outside the company’s headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.
After the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968, the Krispy Kreme fed mourners by donating 150 dozen donuts to Atlanta churches. O’Neal bought the store in 2016.
“I hope no one was hurt and we will bounce back better than ever,” the Basketball Hall of Famer told WXIA-TV.