An explosion at an apartment complex near Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 18 was caused by someone trying to steal copper pipe.
A statement from Integral Property Management, which owns the apartment complex at 445 Markham Street, said a gas leak was caused by someone who had broken into the vacant building and was trying to steal copper.
Fire investigators said the apartment building that exploded around 10 p.m. on Tuesday was vacant and under renovation. One person was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for their injuries.
The Atlanta Fire Department is asking people to stay away from the area near Northside Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW.
“It is fortunate that it was vacant, under renovation. So we’re lucky in that sense, we only have the one victim,” Battalion Chief Michael Roman with Atlanta Fire Rescue said.
Other buildings in the area also sustained damage from the explosion.
Atlanta Fire Rescue said 40 people who live near the building have been displaced. Atlanta Gas Light released the following statement:
“Atlanta Gas Light’s top value is the safety of our customers and the communities we serve. The company has representatives onsite assisting the Atlanta Fire Department with its investigation.”
