Authorities evacuated an office park in Alpharetta after a smell of gas with high levels of carbon monoxide was reported Monday morning.

Alpharetta and Milton fire crews investigated the smell at a building off Marconi Drive, Alpharetta officials said in a tweet. The building was evacuated as a precaution before the all-clear was given, and it was reopened by noon, according to a police spokesman.

Crews with Atlanta Gas Light determined that natural gas and carbon monoxide were not present, and the smell was caused by an electric forklift being charged.

“We remind customers that as a safety precaution, we add a chemical odorant called mercaptan to natural gas, which gives it an odor often associated with rotten eggs,” a spokesman for the company said in a statement. “This distinctive scent allows you to smell a potential leak. If you suspect one has occurred, always leave the area immediately.”

Anytime a leak is suspected, the company suggests calling 911 or the Atlanta Gas Light 24-hour emergency phone line at 1-877-427-4321.

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Joe Rich had moved to 3935 Paces Manor 2.5 year ago. on Tuesday, Sept. 22,2009, he was trapped at his house with no way out - but a boat. He has been ferrying various things back and forth and is surprised he still has power. Vinings residents were dealing with a major flooding issue Tuesday, as the Chattahoochee River made its way along the banks near Paces Ferry Road.  Many residents with upscale homes were hit hard, some for the second time since an earlier post millennia flooding episode. Since early Monday, seven lives have been taken and several other people remain missing. The record-setting rains also have closed schools and roads and have left people stranded in their homes. The river's level near Vinings was at 27.36 feet before daybreak Tuesday after cresting at 28.1 feet overnight. Flood stage is 14 feet, and anything above 20 feet is considered "major" flooding. (Photo: John Spink, jspink@ajc.com)

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People join a rally in support for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees on Tuesday afternoon, April 1, 2025, at the Atlanta headquarters after federal cuts triggered significant layoffs. (Photo: Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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