Investigators: PCP lab behind south Fulton explosions

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Investigators believe a drug lab caused a series of explosion at a house in south Fulton County.

County HAZMAT crews, along with federal agents, spent Monday investigating. Channel 2's Rachel Stockman was the first reporter at the scene. Neighbors along Hobgood Road told her they heard five loud explosions in the typically quiet neighborhood.

The house caught fire over the weekend, sending two people to the hospital.

"It was a sort of muffled explosion. A couple of them weren't that big, but one was real big. When it blew, the flames went up above the trees," Jim Johnson said.

Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wore hazardous materials suits as they went inside. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency was also in the area.

Police said they first noticed drug-making items in the yard, then more inside of what's left of the house. They've labeled it a clandestine PCP lab.

Firefighters said they have taken air quality readings all around the property and everything is now safe, but not all neighbors are convinced.

Diane Calsbeek told Channel 2's Tony Thomas she's been asking about the home's basement since she first noticed flames coming from the area Saturday night.

"The questions I am asking is 'Is it safe? Am I OK spending the night here?'" she said.

Investigators said everything is OK, but they may return to the site Tuesday.

WSBTV