Atlanta Explosion
Aug 23, 2004

Blast Linked to Power Line

Georgia Power crews continued working Monday afternoon to repair underground power lines in downtown Atlanta that exploded overnight, sending manhole covers flying into the air. The blast and the work to repair the damage prompted authorities to restrict morning traffic in the area near the state Capitol while workers completed the job. The explosion, which happened around 1:15 AM, was caused by an electrical line that supplies power to a traffic light caught fire before exploding, a Georgia Power engineer said. Homeland Security officials were also called to the scene. An official with Georgia Power said such explosions are not common. The force of the blast sent three, 50-pound manhole covers into the air. Officials said the incident disrupted power to some downtown traffic signals and a communications facility for the Georgia State Patrol.