Crime & Public Safety

Road reopens after fire, gas leak in SW Atlanta

Updated March 26, 2024

Repairs were finished Tuesday morning on a gas line that was struck by a construction crew in southwest Atlanta on Monday, causing a nearby barbecue restaurant to catch on fire, extended road closures and multiple buildings to be evacuated.

The leak was reported around 10 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Campbellton Road and Dodson Drive, Atlanta Fire Rescue said in a statement. Campbellton Road reopened around 7 a.m. Tuesday after Atlanta Gas Light crews fixed the leak.

Seven buildings nearby, including an apartment complex, were evacuated Monday at the direction of firefighters.

Atlanta Gas Light crews on Tuesday morning finished repairing a gas line along Campbellton Road at Dodson Drive that leaked the day before.
Atlanta Gas Light crews on Tuesday morning finished repairing a gas line along Campbellton Road at Dodson Drive that leaked the day before.

A restaurant at the intersection, Po Freddie’s BBQ, caught on fire around the same time, Channel 2 Action News reported. Firefighters at the scene confirmed to the news station that the fire was fueled by the gas leak.

Photos captured by NewsChopper 2 showed firefighters using multiple hoses to heavily douse the charred building. Video showed the building’s interior completely gutted by the fire.

Firefighters remained at the scene more than six hours after the gas leak was reported.

Atlanta Gas Light crews on Tuesday morning repaired a gas leak along Campbellton Road at Dodson Drive.
Atlanta Gas Light crews on Tuesday morning repaired a gas leak along Campbellton Road at Dodson Drive.

— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.

About the Author

Henri Hollis is a restaurant critic and food reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covers Atlanta’s restaurants, chefs and dining culture. As part of the AJC’s Food & Dining team, he reviews new restaurants, reports on industry trends and explores metro Atlanta’s culinary scene through the neighborhoods and people that shape it.

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