UPDATE: Jack's Package Store in Tucker Damaged by Fire

Updated 2:49 p.m. Tuesday, April 10

A fire at in Tucker last night gutted about half the store, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

No injuries were reported in the blaze which broke out just before 11 p.m. Monday. Jack's Package Store is located at the junction of Lawrenceville Highway and Hugh Howell Road.

"We had some liquor bottles exploding and things of that nature on arrival," DeKalb fire Battalion Chief William Roberts told Channel 2 Action News.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but there is speculation among employees that a tossed cigarette may be the culprit.

"I don't know what happened," manager Natesh Patel told Tucker Patch, refusing to commit himself to a probable cause. He said the fire marshall is investigating. 

When asked if he will rebuild, he replied, "Yes, we have to fix it." Patel said that his father, Raj Patel, has been the owner of the store for the last six years.

Patel added that "not too much" inventory had been destroyed and that insurance would take care of it.

Employee Chris Fuller, who was on duty last night and closed the shop shortly before 11 p.m., tried to take a positive outlook. "Every loss is an opportunity for new growth," said Fuller, who doesn't think he will still have a job there when the store reopens. "Maybe I'll join law enforcement," he said.