Explosions near hospital shut down major Midtown streets

Ten “very large explosions” sent thick smoke into the air in front of Emory University Hospital Midtown and shut down major streets during the height of the Wednesday morning commute.

Atlanta Fire Rescue spokesman Sgt. Cortez Stafford said rainwater runoff caused an underground transformer to explode in the area of 550 Peachtree Street.

No one was injured in the explosions and there was no apparent damage to the hospital, he said.

When firefighters arrived about 8 a.m., Stafford said the breakers on Wabash Avenue had already tripped.

“That cut the power that was going to those transformers, which in turn put the fire out and caused the explosions to cease,” he said. The smoke eventually dissipated.

Authorities closed a major block of Peachtree Street while they investigated. Linden Avenue was also blocked between Courtland and West Peachtree streets.

JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM Police direct detoured traffic near Emory University Hospital Midtown on Wednesday. Authorities closed a major block of Peachtree Street while they investigated. Linden Avenue was also blocked between Courtland and West Peachtree streets.