Gas leak leads to evacuation

By Ashley Luthern | March 31, 2011 at 12:06a.m.

JFK High School evacuated after gas leak discovered

POLAND

A small gas leak Wednesday led to the evacuation of Dobbins Elementary School.

Township police and Western Reserve Joint Fire District personnel arrived at the school, 3030 Dobbins Road, around 11:30 a.m. after a teacher reported smelling gas in a classroom. Officials with Dominion East Ohio came to the school shortly after that.

“We were able to trace it back to a small leak in a pipe that was just between the outside and inside area of the building that serviced a rooftop heating air conditioning unit. It was repaired on scene,” said fire Chief David Comstock Jr.

Officers blocked Dobbins Road so that elementary students could walk to Poland Seminary High School across the street because it was too cold for them to stand outside, said police Chief Brian Goodin.

The students were taken home by buses on schedule at 2:20 p.m., said Superintendent Robert Zorn.

“We notified every parent at noon through our phone system that their children were safe at the high school and having lunch and would be brought home at the regular time,” Zorn said.

He added that the main concern after the evacuation was for students who have dietary restrictions, such as allergies, and need specialized lunches.

Comstock said the school acted responsibly by evacuating the building.

“In general, a smell of gas means there may be a leak, but that does not necessarily mean it’s a fire or explosion hazard. The fire department and school district want to err on the side of caution,” he said.