Early afternoon explosion collapsed part of a building at an apartment complex in suburban Atlanta, specifically in Dunwoody, GA of Dekalb County
The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. at the Wood Terrace Circle apartment complex. Firefighters rushed to heavy smoke and flames billowing from the right side of a unit. Crew members quickly rushed to the third floor to keep the fire from extending through an attic space, authorities said.
Dekalb County Fire Rescue Department told CBS46 that due to the source of the fire charged with electricity, crews had to contain the fire from spreading, but could not risk putting water directly on the energized source.
Georgia Power was called to the scene to investigate. Luckily, crews were able to completely extinguish the fire.
Several residents were displaced; a total of 21 units were affected by the fire. The Red Cross is in the process of meeting one-on-one with families at this time and, along with emotional support, will provide emergency assistance for essentials like food, lodging, personal items, and replacement medications.
“This is a very active scene and the cause of the explosion is under investigation,” police wrote. They did not immediately release any information about injuries.
Eboni Thornton told WSB-TV that she was in a moving truck outside the building when it felt like something fell on top of the vehicle. She said the whole vehicle shook. She was shocked at what she saw when she got out of the truck.
“The leasing office was collapsed on the left side, the double doors were blown out and I could hear a lady screaming her head off,” Thornton said.
Thornton said she saw a couple people limping and bleeding and being carried out of the rubble.
Police said they are working with fire departments to determine the cause of the blast. They asked complex residents not impacted by the explosion to remain in their apartments. Read more from cbs46
