State Capitol evacuated, roads closed due to gas leak with ‘explosion risk’ in downtown Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Georgia Capitol building was evacuated after a gas leak in downtown Atlanta Wednesday morning.

Piedmont Avenue is currently closed near MLK Jr. Drive as emergency personnel investigate and measure air quality, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department said.

The rupture at 201 Piedmont Ave SE occurred when a contractor accidentally hit a 6-inch gas line while excavating, according to Atlanta Gas Light.

Atlanta Fire Rescue officials said the leak “poses an explosion hazard.”

Crews responded to the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and MLK Jr. around 9 a.m., according to public information officer Anare Holmes. Air readings near Decatur Street prompted the evacuation, according to public information officer Anare Holmes.

Atlanta News First crews were in the area and smelled gas around 9 a.m. before seeing several fire trucks rushing to the area. They also saw people being escorted out of the Georgia Capitol around 10:15 a.m.

“People passing by started smelling a strange smell of gas, and I think that’s what prompted one of the 911 callers to call us,” Holmes said.

The James H. “Sloppy” Floyd Building, which houses several other government offices, may also be evacuated.

“For the most part, we don’t get anything that would indicate an extremely dangerous situation,” Holmes said. “But the levels that were on that section (Decatur Street) raised concerns about evacuation.”

As of 12:30 p.m., the Capitol was still closed, but the “Sloppy” Floyd building was still open.

Due to road closures, authorities are asking people to avoid the area.

This is a developing story. Check back to Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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