Collin County School Closed After Gas Leak

(LAVON, Texas)

Officials have announced that an elementary school in the Collin County city of Lavon would be closed for the remainder of the week due to a gas leak and multiple illnesses. Community ISD Superintendent Knowlton stated in a letter to parents that the district was contacted at 11:30 a.m. of a gas line that had been cut at a construction site near NeSmith Elementary School. The school’s gas was then switched off.

Knowlton stated that both Atmos Energy and the Lavon Fire Marshal searched the school’s main facility and third-grade portable structure and found no gas inside. Some staff members “began to have symptoms” while the facilities were being inspected, according to the supervisor. Knowlton went on to say that while those staff members were being checked out by on-site medical crews, several additional staff members and students began reporting obvious ailments as well.

While the district could not provide a specific figure, officials said some of individuals experiencing symptoms were sent to a hospital. According to the fire department, those transported were transferred “out of an abundance of caution.” Parents were then told that their children were ready to be picked up.

Gas is still shut off at the school, according to Knowlton, and will remain so until Atmos Energy and the city of Lavon inspect all gas-powered equipment and lines. According to the supervisor, the elementary school will be closed on Thursday and Friday.