Chemical release results in evacuation

Two floors of the Marquis One Tower at Peachtree Center Avenue and Harris Street in downtown Atlanta have been evacuated from what appears to be a chemical release on the 8th floor, according to Atlanta Fire & Rescue spokesman Capt. Bill May.

The call came in after 11 a.m. Thursday that employees smelled an unusual odor at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue. A haz-mat team was called in to investigate at 11:24 a.m., May said.

Five people were evaluated at the scene and three taken to a hospital, May said.

Employees should be allowed to return to the evacuated floors by mid-afternoon, he said.

Officials continue to investigate the cause of the chemical smell.