AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, a Round Rock ISD middle school was evacuated twice before a gas leak was discovered. The school day ultimately ended early at Ridgeview Middle School because of the leak.
Around 8:12 a.m., firefighters were called out to the school for a report of a gas leak, according to the city of Round Rock.
“School maintenance advised they had performed kitchen maintenance the day before and the stove pilot lights had not been re-lit,” said a spokesperson with the city.
The city’s HazMat team also used monitors inside the school “and confirmed there was no hazard.”
According to the city, firefighters left the school at 8:29 a.m. “with no hazard present,” and then Atmos Energy was notified per standard protocol.
Ridgeview Middle School Principal Marisa Ramirez said the gas smell was reported again, and a leak was eventually discovered.
According to the city, the gas company “arrived and conducted standard soil sampling where the service line enters the building. They found natural gas beneath a concrete slab on the exterior of the building but not inside.”
“Atmos requested fire department response and firefighters arrived back on scene at 10:16 a.m.
Out of precaution, electrical service to the school was shut off while Atmos used equipment to vacuum the gas out of the soil. Firefighters stood by for protection while this work was completed,” the city spokesperson said.
Due to the school not having gas or electricity, “students were escorted out of the building to be picked up by parents or sent home on their normal bus routes,” the city said.
Firefighters then cleared the area shortly before 12:30 p.m., according to the city.