Monday evening traffic around Piedmont Road NE and Sydney Marcus Boulevard NE turned into a standstill as Atlanta Fire crews flooded The Peninsula at Buckhead apartment complex, shutting down nearby streets and startling residents who suddenly found their quiet night anything but.
Eyewitness: Smoke, Drilling and Ladders
Resident Serita Whitney told Atlanta News First that crews showed up around 7 p.m. She quickly got her baby out of their unit, only to realize the emergency was centered on a neighboring building in the same complex.
Whitney said she saw smoke, watched firefighters drill into concrete and later spotted them climbing ladders up to the roof. Hoses snaked around the property as personnel moved in and out, she recalled. “We were so concerned,” she said, describing a scene that left neighbors on edge as they tried to figure out exactly what was going on.
Officials Have Not Offered Details
By the time of the televised report, Atlanta Fire had not released any specifics on what triggered the response or why crews were concentrating work on the roof, according to Atlanta News First. Atlanta Police units were also on scene while firefighters operated, and several surrounding streets were blocked as first responders secured the area.
Where It Happened
The Peninsula at Buckhead sits at 2591 Piedmont Rd NE. The multi building complex offers one and two bedroom units and rooftop amenities, according to Apartments.com. Residents said the close spacing of the buildings can make it tricky to tell which structure is at the center of an emergency.
One neighbor told the station she moved her child to safety, then headed up to her own roof to watch firefighters work on an adjacent building. She was far from alone, as residents tried to get a better view of the commotion unfolding just a few yards away.
Officials had not posted any update on city channels at the time of the station’s report. Nearby streets remained blocked while crews continued their work, and residents reported delays in and around the complex as the evening wore on.
