Emporia Public Schools moved students at Walnut Elementary offsite for close to two hours Friday morning after concerns about a possible gas leak.
District Community Relations Director Lyndel Landgren told KVOE News about the situation shortly before 7:30 am. Landgren says food service personnel and other staff noticed a smell of natural gas when they came in, so the district sent students to Messiah Lutheran Church until the situation was resolved. Ultimately, no gas leak was found.
Major renovations are ongoing at the school as part of the district’s nearly $80 million Building for the Future bond project. Work has since resumed.
Landgren says the relocation process to Messiah Lutheran went smoothly, even though this developed with some students at the school and others approaching the building. He says the district appreciates the cooperation of parents, students and the church on short notice.
No nearby home evacuations have been announced.
9:50 am Friday: Walnut students, staff return to school; potential gas leak under investigation
An investigation continues into a possible gas leak that prompted Emporia Public Schools to move students at Walnut Elementary offsite for close to two hours Friday morning.
District Community Relations Director Lyndel Landgren told KVOE News about the situation shortly before 7:30 am. A smell of natural gas was evident this morning, so the district sent students to Messiah Lutheran Church until the situation was resolved.
The incident comes with major renovations ongoing at the school as part of the district’s nearly $80 million Building for the Future bond project. The district, city of Emporia and project coordinator McCown Gordon are still working to determine what happened.
No nearby home evacuations have been announced.
9 am Friday: Walnut Elementary students still staying at Messiah Lutheran with potential gas leak under investigation
Students at Walnut Elementary are still being told to gather at Messiah Lutheran Church after a potential gas leak either at or near the school Friday morning.
USD 253 Community Relations Director Lyndel Landgren alerted KVOE News to the situation around 7:30 am. There is a smell of natural gas in the area, so the district is taking this step “out of an abundance of caution.” The district is working with the city of Emporia and project coordinator McGownGordon to gauge the scope of the situation.
Emporia Fire was not initially called out. There is no word on whether any homes near the school have been evacuated as a precaution.
Students are being dropped off outside the church and are gathering with their teachers inside the church building.
We’ll have more updates as they come available on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
7:45 am Friday: Walnut Elementary students told to gather at Messiah Lutheran after potential gas leak
Walnut Elementary students and staff are not having a routine Friday morning.
A potential gas leak in the area is prompting the district to direct students to the Messiah Lutheran Church parking lot, 1101 Neosho, until the situation is resolved. Staff will be at the church as well.
District Community Relations Director Lyndel Landgren says there is a smell of natural gas in the area, so the district is taking this step “out of an abundance of caution.” The district is working with the city of Emporia and project coordinator McGownGordon to gauge the scope of the situation.
We’ll keep you updated on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
