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 Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)
The Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) - A historic Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store in Atlanta owned by basketball star Shaquille O'Neal that dates back to the mid-1960s was engulfed in flames early Wednesday, heavily damaging the structure.
Atlanta fire crews responded to the iconic restaurant on Ponce de Leon Avenue shortly after midnight, news outlets reported. Video posted on social media showed raging flames.
The Midtown store opened in 1965 and O'Neal bought it in 2016, news outlets reported.
'œI hope no one was hurt and we will bounce back better than ever,'ť O'Neal said in a statement.
'œWe and our shop partner, Shaquille O'Neal, are extremely thankful that no one was injured and for the rapid response and outstanding work of the local fire and police departments," said Jack Farmer, who represents Krispy Kreme.
'œWe are working with authorities to assess the damage and are uncertain at this point how long the shop will be closed," he added. 'œHowever, we plan to reopen the shop as soon as possible! In the meantime, our Ponce team members will continue to receive full pay while we identify and offer them roles at other area Krispy Kreme shops."
Battalion Chief Douglas Hatcher said firefighters saved most of the building after the fire started in the back. No injuries were reported. Hatcher said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
The Midtown Krispy Kreme was one of the first locations established outside the company's main bases of operations in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.
After Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral in April 1968, the Krispy Kreme fed mourners by donating 150 dozen donuts to Atlanta churches.
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An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the store was more than 60 years old. It opened in 1965.
Firefighters extinguish a fire at the landmark Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
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A firefighter works inside the landmark Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store after a fast-moving fire broke out Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
The Associated Press
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 Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)
The Associated Press
Firefighters talk in front of a burned Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store in Atlanta on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. The historic store was engulfed in flames early Wednesday. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)
The Associated Press
A firefighter looks at the back side of a burned out Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store in Atlanta on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. The historic store was engulfed in flames early Wednesday. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)
The Associated Press
The interior of a burned Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store in seen in Atlanta on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. The historic store was engulfed in flames early Wednesday. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)
The Associated Press
The front entrance to a burned Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store in seen in Atlanta on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. The historic store was engulfed in flames early Wednesday. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)
The Associated Press
Soot appears on the underside of the roof of a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store following a fire in Atlanta on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. The historic store was engulfed in flames early Wednesday. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)
The Associated Press
Soot appears along the signage and roof of the landmark Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store after a fast-moving fire broke out Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
The Associated Press
Firefighters exit the landmark Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store after a fast-moving fire broke out on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. The store owned by Basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal was significantly damaged. (John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
The Associated Press