NBA HOF Shaquille O’Neal’s Krispy Kreme to cost over $1M to rebuild, was it an act of arson?

The historic Ponce de Leon Krispy Kreme in Atlanta caught fire overnight in February 2021, in what was later revealed to be a planned arson on the almost 60-year-old building. Before the brand could even begin renovation, the property caught fire again in July, leaving the firm with no alternative except to demolish the building.

It will need an amount of one million to rebuild the structure which was put on flame intentionally, as per investigation.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department has found that an arson fire was started at a historic Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store owned by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. The department even announced the statement on social media, requesting public assistance in finding a suspect and offering a reward of up to $10,000.

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

The fire broke out just after midnight on February 10th. After the fire broke in the back, Battalion Chief Douglas Hatcher said that firefighters could recover the majority of the structure.

He further stated that no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Soon after the event, O’Neal stated that he hoped “we will be back stronger than ever.”

The shop, located in the city’s Midtown region, opened in 1965 and was one of the chain’s first sites to operate outside of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee. O’Neal purchased the shop in 2016.

In April 1968, the store gave 150 dozen doughnuts to area churches to help feed mourners assembled following Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral.

It is disheartening that someone put a historic establishment on the flame on purpose.

However, knowing the man of words O’Neal is, we are hopeful that the store will be back with all our favorites in no time. What’s your favorite food place in the Atlanta region? Don’t forget to share with us in the comment.