Crime & Safety
Underground Explosions Rock Midtown During Wednesday Commute
Several manhole covers were sent skyrocketing into the air when stormwater runoff leaked into some underground transformers.
ATLANTA -- Rainwater runoff caused 10 major underground explosions in Midtown during Wednesday's busy morning commute. According to Atlanta Fire & Rescue officials, the runoff caused some underground transformers to explode, skyrocketing nearby manhole covers into the air. No injuries were reported, but drivers, as of noon Wednesday, were asked to avoid the area.
Peachtree Street between North Avenue and Pine Street was closed for a while, as was Linden Avenue between Courtland and West Peachtree streets.
Atlanta Fire on the scene at Peachtree Street & Linden Ave. Investigating reports of multiple man hole covers that were blown off. No cause at this time & no reports of injuries. AFRD checking nearby buildings as a precaution. #AFRD
— Atlanta Fire Rescue (@ATLFireRescue) February 6, 2019
APD ALERT: We are on the scene of an underground electrical explosion near 550 Peachtree St. No injuries reported at this time. Please avoid area. Peachtree St. is closed between North Ave. & Renaissance Pkwy. Linden Ave. is closed between Courtland St. & Spring St. #ATLTraffic
— Atlanta Police Dept (@Atlanta_Police) February 6, 2019
Initial local media reports that Emory's Midtown Hospital was evacuated were incorrect, according to Atlanta Fire & Rescue officials:
Find out what's happening in Midtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
*UPDATE* Emory Midtown Hospital was not evacuated as a result of this incident. Building operating on normal power. @GeorgiaPower is still on scene assessing the situation. Peachtree Street now closed between Linden Ave & Renaissance Pkwy.
— Atlanta Fire Rescue (@ATLFireRescue) February 6, 2019
Find out what's happening in Midtownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Electrical explosion in Atlanta this morning. @wsbtv @ajc @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/H1Tkjy0LQs
— Tyler Brandt (@Drummerdude1337) February 6, 2019
Underground Explosion Rattles #Atlanta, https://t.co/NrR4orLjzf #Firefighters #FirefighterNation pic.twitter.com/W5GhncjVGL
— Firefighter Nation (@firenation) February 6, 2019
MANHOLE BLASTS: Video shot from a nearby high-rise shows smoke rising on Peachtree Street in midtown Atlanta, where multiple manholes blew this morning in what authorities are calling an underground electrical explosion; no injuries have been reported. https://t.co/sg5I1ZJhx0 pic.twitter.com/Hu8xK8l2EM
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) February 6, 2019
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