Midtown Atlanta Parking Deck Collapses

Published June 29, 2009 at 6:29 p.m.

(WSB Radio) Part of a parking deck at 5th and Spring Streets in midtown Atlanta collapsed shortly before 12:30 this afternoon, when many people were headed out to lunch.

The multi-level deck services the Centergy complex, and an LA Fitness is also at that intersection. The Atlanta Fire Department arrived quickly at the scene, but a fire captain said it is too early to know whether anyone was inside, whether there are any casualties, or the extent of the damage.  There are no reports of injuries.

Four levels of the deck apparently collapsed, and several mangled cars could be seen. At least 32 vehicles have been damaged.

Judith Allen, who works for Accenture, said she was heading for lunch around 12:20 when the noise of the collapse stunned her.

"I was walking out and all of a sudden it was just a boom, lots of air, lots of dust everywhere," she said.

"My car is actually on the fourth level, which is not the part--I mean, it's right next to the section that collapsed.  Right now, we're just hoping that everyone's okay and that no one is injured, but we really don't know.  I need to head back.  I've been asked to do a head count to make sure everyone's okay.

Police, firefighters and other emergency personnel were on the scene at the multilevel parking structure.

WSB's Jon Lewis reports it is likely to be a slow, careful search and rescue effort for firefighters entering the unstable building.  They have to shore up damaged walls to make them more secure so they can enter to look for any victims.  Lewis talked to a man who was inside the deck when a portion of it buckled.

"I was eating lunch in my car and it just...I heard a sound like a building was being demoed," said Shaun Dodson.  "Just the sound and the whole truck was shaking.  So at the top, I got out, went around the back side of the deck, and you could see down to the first floor."

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