Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Explosion Reported on Memorial Drive - One Man Injured

Early reports indicate that a man was burned inside a thrift store on Memorial Drive.

EDGEWOOD — Atlanta police and a number of federal and state agencies are investigating an explosion at 1599 Memorial Drive that sent a man to the hospital.

The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. at the Veteran's Thrift Shop, APD Sgt. Greg Lyon said.

The man was injured while opening a package, which led to the stretch of Moreland Avenue between Moreland Avenue and Maynard Terrace being closed to motor vehicle traffic for several hours.

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The street was reopened by 7 p.m.

Police don't know what caused the explosion but Lyon said on-scene investigators determined the package itself is not a bomb.

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"It is unclear at this time if the burns were the result of an explosion, flash fire or other incident," Lyon said. "The individual appears to have suffered minor injuries (burns to  arms and legs) and been transported for medical treatment."

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the investigation.

The crush of intergovernmental agencies to the scene comes a day after twin terrorist bombings killed three and injured scores of others at the Boston Marathon on April 15.

"Investigators are on scene interviewing witnesses in an attempt to determine what happened," Lyon said. "This incident appears to be isolated and the scene is in control."

APD will brief East Atlanta Patch as more information becomes available.


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