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Gas-fueled inferno closes roadways, forces evacuations
A southwest Atlanta road on fire after a gas leak. That road is still closed causing a headache Wednesday afternoon as people head home from work.
ATLANTA - Repairs which shut-down portion of Sylvan Road after a natural gas main rupture caused a massive blaze Wednesday morning are done.
Crews spent hours Wednesday cleaning up near the corner of Sylvan Road and Langford Parkway in southwest Atlanta. The road between Estes Drive SW and Perkerson Road SW as well as the on-ramps to Georgia 166 West at Langford Parkway will also remain closed until further notice.
Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Matt Driver says at around 11:30 a.m., his crews got the call for what they thought at the time was a brush fire.
"Unclear if the fire started the brush or if the brush started the fire," Driver said.
Atlanta Gas Light says a natural gas main was damaged by an unrelated contractor, resulting in the fire that quickly engulfed the area.
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Gas line-fueled fire forces evacuations, road closures
Repairs are underway after a gas line caught fire in southwest Atlanta Wednesday morning. Nearby buildings had to evacuate, including a daycare. The children were seen holding hands as they walked out. Workers push the littlest ones out in their cribs.
SKYFOX 5 flew over the scene saw the blazing inferno, which covered the road and median.
"We had multiple units on the scene with gas monitoring equipment. We had uphill winds, so we had to make sure the public and our guys were in a safe area. So we established a hot zone very quickly and got everyone out of harm's way," Driver said.
Flames overtook a nearby car. One witness says the flames came out of nowhere.
"The car was just driving by and underneath the car was just flames and came from everywhere. Just burning," the man said, adding that everyone inside was able to make it out safely.
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Daycare evacuated as gas line rupture catches fire
Roads were closed and a nearby daycare had to be evacuated as a gas main ruptures and caught fire, causing an inferno along Langford Parkway on Wednesday.
A nearby daycare was forced to evacuate. The young children were seen holding hands as they exited the building. Bystanders also helped push strollers carrying the youngest of the children to safety.
"Human life is my very first thought," said Samuel Lee Moon III.
Thankfully, no one was injured, but those living nearby say the gas station is crucial in the community.
"It’s one of the safer gas stations in the community, so I’m not going to lie, it’s a huge loss for us. A lot of people who don’t have vehicles can walk to the gas station. Feel safe and walk back home," Moon said.
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Large fire near Sylvan Road, Langford Parkway
Firefighters are on the scene of a fire near Sylvan Road and Langford Parkway in southwest Atlanta. It appears that some sort of machine hit an underground gas line.
Firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading and to douce the flames. Atlanta Gas Light crews were able to shut down the main and the blaze was extinguished shortly after.
"Unlike in the movies, it’s not as bad as people think. It’s very dangerous, but once we get in quickly, and rapidly, and establish those hot zones the chance for life safety and danger declines quickly," Moon said.
Atlanta Gas sent the following statement:
"The safety of our employees, customers and the public is our No. 1 value. A contractor unrelated to Atlanta Gas Light working at 2049 Sylvan Road SW in Atlanta damaged a 4-inch natural gas main. The contractor’s tractor, who was digging at the site caught fire as a result. Atlanta Gas Light crews are on the scene working with first responders to safely secure the area. Once the area is safe, Atlanta Gas Light will work to make repairs. There are no outages for customers at this time and no injuries have been reported."
Atlanta transportation officials say the area was closed overnight and most of the day on Thursday for repairs, but reopened by the evening rush.
MAP OF THE AREA
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