Bus interrupts filming of Georgia Dome implosion

Atlanta: One of the nation’s largest domed stadiums has been destroyed in a scheduled implosion in downtown Atlanta.

On Monday, the Georgia Dome, an 80,000- capacity stadium that hosted events at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, was demolished in a spectacular controlled implosion.

Like many other media outlets, the US Weather Channel set up a live stream to catch the moment on film.

In footage posted online, a crowd of onlookers can be seen lined up to watch the demolition, as a voice slowly counts down to the demolition of the iconic stadium.

Seconds after the first plume of smoke appears, a large bus slowly enters the frame. “No bus! Go away!” a man heard to shout.

The dome, which opened in 1992 and cost $ 214 million, was flattened within about 15 seconds.

The Georgia World Congress Centre Authority, which includes the 71,250- seat dome, had said it would take 12 seconds for the explosives to go off plus another 3 seconds for sections of grandstands to be on the ground.

The dome has been replaced by the $ 1.6 billion Mercedes- Benz Stadium next door.

A 5- story tall industrial strength curtain between the two stadiums was on the scene to protect the new venue from damage, officials said.

Only 83 feet - less than 30 yards - separates the two venues.