Airport Explosion in Atlanta Caused By Electrical Circuit Malfunction

Electrical explosion at Atlanta airport forces evacuation. A small electrical explosion in a maintenance shed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport led to a brief evacuation of Concourse D on Tuesday morning. The explosion happened around 8:40 a.m., authorities say.

Atlanta fire crews were called to a ramp-level maintenance shop near gate D-21, where the explosion occurred. Airport officials say all 36 gates of Concourse D were evacuated and electricity was briefly turned off as safety precautions.

Officials said the explosion did not trigger any fire or smoke in the concourse. Airport officials said the explosion was triggered by a technical malfunction in an electrical circuit box, and was not set off by a person.

Passengers were allowed to return to Concourse D about 10:20 a.m. While some flights will be delayed, airport officials said no flights would be canceled as a result of the explosion.