ATLANTA — A faulty air handling system forced the evacuation of a major downtown Atlanta skyscraper and the closure of Peachtree Street.
Firefighters evacuated the Equitable Building on Peachtree Street around 1 p.m. Wednesday after tenants reported smelling and seeing smoke throughout the building.
One employee told Channel 2's Richard Elliot it was an orderly evacuation.
"With 26 floors, it always makes you a little nervous, but no, it didn't seem bad enough to really panic," said Linda Vodjdani, a worker inside the building.
Dozens of Atlanta firefighters arrived at the scene and investigated the source of the smoke and determined it was from a burned-out air handler on the roof.
"Anytime we have anything at any of the high-rise structures downtown, it's a whole different type of firefighting," said Battalion Chief Todd Edwards. "It requires at least double the staff we normally have at a regular house fire."
Once firefighters cleared the smoke, employees were allowed back in the building and police reopened Peachtree Street.
WSBTV
