Gas Leak Forces School Evacuation

The Chartiers Valley middle and high schools were evacuated this morning after people inside smelled an odor of natural gas.

Firefighters quickly located the gas leak on the third floor and shut off the line, Collier police Chief Thomas Devin said.

The middle and high schools were evacuated and students were taken to the high school stadium. The students were expected to be allowed back into the school by 10 a.m., Devin said.

Chuck McCartney, spokesman for Chartiers Valley School District, said the leak occurred on the third floor of the building where there are math and science labs. He said students initially were allowed to go back into the building, but were stopped when officials decided a second sweep of the building was needed.

No one was injured and crews from the gas company are on their way to fix the leak and restore service to the school.

“You got to throw in every precaution when something like this occurs,” McCartney said.