Gas leak closes a town school

Gas leak closes a town school

Staff arrived at 7.30 am to discover a strong smell of gas in the building and children were prevented from entering the school.The Fire Service were called out at 8 am and placed on stand-by for two hours in case of explosions while Jersey Gas began to ventilate the area and investigate the cause of the leak, which had a low reading and was centred around the toilets.The decision was taken to close the school and students were sent home or taken home by staff in school minibuses.Deputy headteacher Sam Cooper said some of the children were disappointed because today was meant to be their Christmas party.He said: ‘The key stage one children had come all dressed up for their Christmas party, so were quite disappointed.

But we do hope we will be back in school tomorrow and will be able to hold it then.’Managing director of Jersey Gas Bob Staddon said everyone involved had handled the situation very well and apologised that the incident had happened today.

He said: ‘The readings were low and are dropping away but were at a level where we would evacuate.

We are now tracing the readings back towards the road, as we believe them to be in the road area.’All credit to the staff at the school, but it is really sad that it happened on the day of their party.

We hope the area will be clear by tomorrow and we intend to make it up to them then.’He added: ‘This was a good job done by everyone and we would ask other people if they smell gas to report it to us.

That is the reason for the smell – it is a warning.’

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