NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A ground stop was issued Friday afternoon at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport due to a fire alarm incident involving “strong gas fumes,” the FAA confirmed.
Planes were grounded around 5 p.m. ET.
The FAA said the ground stop went into effect after an alarm was triggered by a “strong” odor of gas fumes.
The airport’s air traffic control tower was evacuated, and first responders were at the airport, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
AIRLINES TOLD TO REEVALUATE EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES AFTER CARRY-ON CONCERNS
The air traffic control tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The FAA said a secondary air traffic control tower is being set up, and, once that happens, the ground stop will be lifted.
The airport is one of the world’s busiest travel hubs.
The ground stop has delayed hundreds of flights at the airport, according to Flight Aware.
PASSENGER JET ABORTS BOSTON TAKEOFF AFTER FLAME AND SMOKE SPEW FROM ENGINE
Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in July. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The incident comes as airports across the country are experiencing delays due to the government shutdown.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the FAA for comment.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Delta Airlines passenger aircraft are seen from the air at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in July. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
