Atlanta Gas Light to briefly release air, natural gas at site of apartment explosion

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Work is continuing at the site of a DeKalb County apartment a week after it was blown to pieces in an explosion.

Atlanta Gas Light, working alongside DeKalb County Fire Marshal, will be performing work on its facilities near the Arrive Perimeter apartment complex Tuesday, which it said may involve “conducting a brief, controlled release of air and natural gas.”

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Atlanta Gas Light said there may be some odor and noise. The work is being done at the complex on 2000 Asbury Square.

This work is being conducted in support of the DeKalb County Fire Marshal’s investigation into the explosion that happened Sept. 12.

Four people were injured in the blast, which tore the front half of one building off and damaged several surrounding buildings.

DeKalb County officials are still investigating the exact cause of the blast.

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Residents of the apartment complex have been asked to move out by October 31. Residents of all 400 units were notified in an email that they are going to have to vacate the property in just under six weeks. It’s unclear when they may be allowed to return, if at all.

“It has become apparent that we will not be able to quickly return gas service to our residents,” the email said. “We, unfortunately, cannot commit to a reasonable timeline to restore hot water, heat, or functional gas ranges, and without a clear date of that return of gas service, we feel that the prudent action is to vacate the property.”

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After the explosion, Dunwoody City Code officers ordered crews to shut down all natural gas service at the complex until a plumber could deem them safe to operate.

Woman says Dunwoody apartment explosion threw victim into wall

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