Chaos ensued on Campbellton Road SW in Atlanta on Monday after an accidental gas leak caused an explosion and a subsequent fire at the beloved PO Freddie's BBQ restaurant. Officials reported that the initial rupture of an underground gas line was the result of construction work in the area. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene following the accident, which led to road closures and the evacuation of multiple buildings, including an apartment complex, as stated by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Witnesses near the incident heard a "big boom noise," as described by Rakem West, who, along with Nakevia Atkins, was directing traffic when the explosion rocked the barbecue joint. "We were smelling it. We heard it," West recalled, speaking with 11Alive. "We were running for our lives."
Atlanta Fire Rescue told FOX 5 Atlanta that the gas had built up inside the building, leading to the fire at PO Freddie's. While the blaze has been largely extinguished, fire crews were still working to put out residual hot spots before fully vacating the area.
According to Atlanta Gas Light, as reported by 11Alive, the gas line repairs must be completed before the road can be reopened, with no current timetable available. Thankfully, the restaurant was empty during the time of the explosion, helping to avoid potential injuries that could have occurred during the lunchtime rush.
As repairs continue, Campbellton Road between Sandringham Road SW and Harbins Road remains shut, with detours affecting both the eastbound and westbound traffic. Atlanta Fire Rescue has also closed Campbellton Road from Harbin Road to Marvin Lane and Dodson Drive from Ivydale to Landrum, ensuring that no one attempted, affected by the disruption, accesses the area.
