Downtown Atlanta gas leak: Fire department warns of explosion risk, buildings evacuated

- The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and Atlanta Gas are on the scene of a large gas leak in downtown Atlanta.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, construction crews were working on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE and Piedmont Avenue SW when they struck a gas main shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area is being redirected.

The Georgia Capitol was evacuated as a precaution after air quality readings indicated that gas levels in the area were concerning and at approximately 10:30 a.m., the fire department ordered the evacuation and closure of the Georgia State MARTA Station.

As a result, rail service to the station was suspended. A bus bridge was utilized to provide transportation between the Five Points and King Memorial Stations. MARTA also advised the MARTAConnect was available to customers wishing to use Uber or Lyft.

At approximately 1:15 p.m., Atlanta Fire posted on social media that there was an explosion risk because of the gas leak and asked everyone to avoid the area. Additionally, the fire department told FOX 5 Atlanta that a nearby daycare has been evacuated.

Officials are also advising people in the area who have respiratory issues to take precautions, although there is not an extreme risk at this time. They are also asking people to avoid the area if they can do so.